Coherent Coupling of a Diamond Tin-Vacancy Center to a Tunable Open Microcavity
Yanik Herrmann, Julius Fischer, Julia M. Brevoord, Colin Sauerzapf, Leonardo G. C. Wienhoven, Laurens J. Feije, Matteo Pasini, Martin Eschen, Maximilian Ruf, Matthew J. Weaver, Ronald Hanson
Efficient coupling of optically active qubits to optical cavities is a key challenge for solid-state-based quantum optics experiments and future quantum technologies. Here we present a quantum photonic interface based on a single tin-vacancy center in a micrometer-thin diamond membrane coupled to a tunable open microcavity. We use the full tunability of the microcavity to selectively address individual tin-vacancy centers within the cavity mode volume. Purcell enhancement of the tin-vacancy center optical transition is evidenced both by optical excited state lifetime reduction and by optical linewidth broadening. As the emitter selectively reflects the single-photon component of the incident light, the coupled emitter-cavity system exhibits strong quantum nonlinear behavior. On resonance, we observe a transmission dip of 50% for low incident photon number per Purcell-reduced excited state lifetime, while the dip disappears as the emitter is saturated with higher photon number. Moreover, we demonstrate that the emitter strongly modifies the photon statistics of the transmitted light by observing photon bunching. This work establishes a versatile and tunable platform for advanced quantum optics experiments and proof-of-principle demonstrations on quantum networking with solid-state qubits. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Efficient coupling of optically active qubits to optical cavities is a key challenge for solid-state-based quantum optics experiments and future quantum technologies. Here we present a quantum photonic interface based on a single tin-vacancy center in a micrometer-thin diamond membrane coupled to a tunable open microcavity. We use the full tunability of the microcavity to selectively address individual tin-vacancy centers within the cavity mode volume. Purcell enhancement of the tin-vacancy center optical transition is evidenced both by optical excited state lifetime reduction and by optical linewidth broadening. As the emitter selectively reflects the single-photon component of the incident light, the coupled emitter-cavity system exhibits strong quantum nonlinear behavior. On resonance, we observe a transmission dip of 50% for low incident photon number per Purcell-reduced excited state lifetime, while the dip disappears as the emitter is saturated with higher photon number. Moreover, we demonstrate that the emitter strongly modifies the photon statistics of the transmitted light by observing photon bunching. This work establishes a versatile and tunable platform for advanced quantum optics experiments and proof-of-principle demonstrations on quantum networking with solid-state qubits. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Coupling between a single quantum emitter and an optical cavity presents a key capability for future quantum networking applications. Here, we explore interactions between individual germanium-vacancy ( Ge V) defects in diamond and an open microcavity at cryogenic temperatures. Exploiting the tunability of our microcavity system to characterize and select emitters, we observe a Purcell-effect-induced lifetime reduction of up to 4.5±0.3 and extract coherent-coupling rates up to 360±20 MHz. Our results indicate that the Ge V defect has favorable optical properties for cavity coupling, with a quantum efficiency of at least 0.34±0.05 and likely much higher. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
The negatively charged tin-vacancy center in diamond (SnV−) is an excellent solid state qubit with optically-addressable transitions and a long electron spin coherence time at elevated (∼1.7 K). However, implementing scalable quantum nodes with high-fidelity optical readout of the electron spin state requires efficient photon emission and collection from the system. In this manuscript, we report a quantum photonic interface for SnV− centers based on one-dimensional photonic crystal cavities fabricated in diamond thin films. Furthermore, we provide a rigorous description of the spontaneous emission dynamics of our system, taking into account individual contributions from both the C and D transitions of the emitter. This allows for determination of Purcell factors per transition and, by extension, the C/D branching ratio SnV− zero phonon line. We observe quality factors up to $\sim$6000 across this sample, and measure up to a 12-fold lifetime reduction, which translates into a Purcell factor of FC=26.2±1.5 for a targeted C transition. By considering the cavity mode polarization alignment with the C and D transition dipole moments, we validate the C/D branching ratio to be ηBR=0.75±0.01, in line with previous theoretical and experimental findings.
The tin-vacancy center in diamond (SnV) has emerged as a compelling building block for realizing next-generation quantum networks thanks to its excellent optical and spin properties. Coupling to photonic crystal cavities (PCCs) promises to further enhance the SnV light-matter interface and unlock a diverse range of entanglement generation protocols. Recent pioneering experiments showing Purcell enhancement of SnV centers in PCCs underscore this potential. However, optical coupling that is coherent - the key ingredient for use in quantum protocols - has so far remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate above-unity coherent cooperativity of SnV centers embedded in photonic crystal cavities. We fabricate free-standing PCCs using a quasi-isotropic undercut. Across two samples, we conduct room-temperature characterizations, measuring resonances for 327 cavities, with an average quality factor exceeding Q=1.0(3)×104. Two cavity-coupled emitters are examined in detail, exhibiting quality factors up to Q=25.4(4)×103 and Purcell-reduced lifetimes corresponding to cooperativities up to C=20.6(11). Furthermore, the single SnVs are observed to strongly modulate the cavity transmission with an extinction contrast up to 98.8(4)% on resonance. Finally, SnV linewidth measurements reveal above-unity coherent cooperativities in both devices, with the highest value being Ccoh=8.3(12). These results open the door to using cavity-coupled SnV centers as efficient, coherent light-matter interfaces for future quantum networks.
The realization of quantum networks critically depends on establishing efficient, coherent light-matter interfaces. Optically active spins in diamond have emerged as promising quantum nodes based on their spin-selective optical transitions, long-lived spin ground states, and potential for integration with nanophotonics. Tin-vacancy (SnV-) centers in diamond are of particular interest because they exhibit narrow-linewidth emission in nanostructures and possess long spin coherence times at temperatures above 1 K. However, a nanophotonic interface for SnV- centers has not yet been realized. Here, we report cavity enhancement of the emission of SnV- centers in diamond. We integrate SnV- centers into one-dimensional photonic crystal resonators and observe a 40-fold increase in emission intensity. The Purcell factor of the coupled system is 25, resulting in channeling of the majority of photons (90%) into the cavity mode. Our results pave the way for the creation of efficient, scalable spin-photon interfaces based on SnV- centers in diamond.
The tin-vacancy (SnV) center in diamond is a promising spin-photon interface for quantum networks, combining favorable optical properties with spin coherence above 1K. Unfolding the full potential requires cavity enhancement to increase photon-emitter coupling efficiency. Here, we demonstrate cavity-enhanced light-matter coupling of SnV centers in a fully tunable Fabry-Pérot microcavity operating at temperatures down to 1K with in-situ magnetic field control. We access the diamond-like regime of hybrid cavity modes through integration of low-roughness diamond membranes, where the field is concentrated inside the diamond and Purcell enhancement is maximized. Diamond-like modes deliver a more than two-fold increase in the effective Purcell factor over air-like modes, reaching C0=4.1(1) compared to C0=1.85(5) in the air-like case, while simultaneously relaxing mechanical stability requirements. Resonant probing reveals coherent cavity-emitter coupling with 96% extinction contrast and a coherent cooperativity of C=4.0(14). By applying a magnetic field, we further achieve spin-resolved cavity extinction, observing spin-selective optical transitions with a contrast of Cspin=0.91. These results establish SnV centers in diamond coupled to open Fabry-Pérot microcavities as a promising platform for efficient spin-photon interfaces.
Solid-state quantum emitters such as the N-V center in diamond have applications ranging from single-photon sources to quantum sensors, with some quantum properties preserved even under ambient conditions. A central challenge is to access these quantum properties efficiently, by catching as much emitted light as possible. In this study a tunable optical microcavity, with a mode volume as small as one wavelength cubed, is used to enhance spontaneous emission of single N-V centers in diamond, via the Purcell effect. This allows the authors to extract large amounts of light from several individually addressable emitters, and to control their spontaneous-emission rate.