Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2404.08772 · Physical Review Applied

Nonlinear wave-spin interactions in nitrogen-vacancy centers

Zhongqiang Hu, Qiuyuan Wang, Chung-Tao Chou, Justin T. Hou, Zhiping He, Luqiao Liu

Published Apr 30, 2024• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Nonlinear phenomena represent one of the central topics in the study of wave-matter interactions and constitute the key blocks for various applications in optical communication, computing, sensing, and imaging. In this work, we show that by employing the interactions between microwave photons and electron spins of nitrogen-vacancy ($\mathrm{N}$-$V$) centers, one can realize a variety of nonlinear effects, ranging from the resonance at the sum or difference frequency of two or more waves to electromagnetically induced transparency from the interference between spin transitions. We further verify the phase coherence through two-photon Rabi-oscillation measurements. The highly sensitive optically detected $\mathrm{N}$-$V$--center dynamics not only provides a platform for studying magnetically induced nonlinearities but also promises novel functionalities in quantum control and quantum sensing.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.21.044057

Related papers

Multiple-microwave-photon transition of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Jun Zhang, Haonan Chang, Feilong Song +5 more

Abstract Multiple-microwave-photon transition is a nonlinear process involving the simultaneous absorption of multiple microwave photons to reach a higher energy state. This phenomenon enables microwave frequency conversion, a crucial technique for spin-wave devices, frequency synthesizers and communication devices. However, it has not been observed in nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds, which serve as a key quantum platform linking flying qubits, microwave photons, and solid-state spins. In this work, we first observed multiple-microwave-photon transitions in NV centers in diamonds, using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) methods with a single laser and microwave beam. We demonstrate that microwave frequencies, effective g-factor, and angular momentum exhibit a 1/n scaling law, but the linewidth exhibits a 1/n^2 scaling law for n-photon transitions between the ground states. Additionally, we detect the hyperfine structure of the ground states and achieve coherent spin manipulation under multi-photon excitation. Our findings offer a novel approach for the precise manipulation of NV center spin states, advancing quantum sensing and quantum information.

•Mar 18, 2025•0 citations

Optical measurements of electron spin coherence of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Lucas Nunes Sales de Andrade

Among the possible defects that can occur in diamonds, one that draws attention is the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center.Studied since the early 90s, in recent years, they became one of the most promising platforms for field applications of quantum technology at room temperature, especially for quantum sensing.They are sensitive to electric and magnetic fields, temperature, and strain, making these nanosensors a versatile platform for many applications.The NV center's spin state is easy to read and manipulate by optical means, and, most interestingly, it works well at room temperature, which facilitates its use.The great challenge to implement quantum protocols and quantum algorithms is the coherence time of the quantum states.The NV center stands out for having relatively high coherence times at room temperature.This dissertation presents measurements to characterize the electron spin coherence of NV centers in an ultrapure sample of diamond designed for quantum sensing applications.These measurements combine optical e magnetic resonance techniques.For that, a method was implemented using a conventional CCD camera and a clever imaging protocol, making it possible to perform various pulsed microwave experiments on the electron spin, such as Rabi oscillations and Hahn spin-echo, which were used for determining the characteristic relaxation times (T 1 and T 2 ).Results show that this system provides at least two readily accessible qubits that can be used in quantum protocols even at room temperature.

•Jul 16, 2021•0 citations

Near-Field Sensing of Microwave Magnetic Field Phase Difference Enabled by N - V -Center Spins

Mingxin Li, Ning Zhang, Lixia Xu +5 more

Sensing microwave (MW) fields through a quantum protocol has attracted increasing interest, and the phase of MW fields is an essential parameter in communication and quantum technologies. This work proposes a quantum-effect-based method for measuring the phase difference of MW magnetic fields under near-field conditions based on the selective transitions of nitrogen-vacancy- ($\mathrm{N}$-V) center spins in diamond. First, the relationship between the evolutions of the $\mathrm{N}$-V-center spin states and the phase difference of the MW magnetic fields, which are resonant and able to drive the transitions of the $\mathrm{N}$-V-center spins between ground-state energy levels, is deduced. Then, using a double-microstrip-line MW antenna, the variations in the Rabi frequency and maximum contrast as a function of the phase difference are experimentally revealed. Finally, the measurement of the phase difference is validated, and the sensitivity of the proof-of-principle method is estimated to be ${0.0915}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. This method paves the way for the comprehensive quantum sensing of MW fields and has potential applications in the communication and quantum information fields.

Physical Review Applied•May 26, 2023•12 citations

Coherent manipulation of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond via frequency multiplication

Pin Yu -, Rujian Zhang, Renfei Zheng +4 more

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as ideally individual spin quantum systems can be coherently manipulated by microwave fields. Compared to the traditional method using the IQ (In-phase/Quadrature) mixer with a local oscillator and intermediate-frequency (IF) signals, we report an effective and technically simple method to generate the required microwave field by frequency multiplication and realize coherent manipulation of the NV center’s electron spin. After frequency multiplication, the IF signal can be directly converted to the high-frequency microwave field with adjustable pulse width, frequency, phase, and amplitude. A series of spin dynamics applications such as Rabi oscillation, free induction decay, and spin-locking are executed, which verified its performance and feasibility. Frequency multiplication can overcome the problem of clock synchronization between the local oscillator and IF signal and greatly reduce the complexity of the experimental system. The method can be easily used to realize a more complex quantum control sequence such as dynamic decoupling and extended to a wide range of spin-based quantum information applications in the future.

AIP Advances•Jun 1, 2023•0 citations

Probing Surface Spin Interaction Dynamics using Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Quantum Sensors with High-Fidelity State-Selective Transition Control

Zimeng Wang

As a demand from developing nanotechnology and quantum information technology based on mesoscopic material, quantum sensors with better spatial resolution and sensitivity are required. \n \nHowever, few material meets the requirements of nanoscale sensors including stability and small size. Single spin of Nitrogen-Vacancy(NV) centers in diamond crystal is one kind of the ideal quantum sensors for magnetometry that has been investigated in recent years. It provides a potential way to study the dynamics in a mesoscopic system with high sensitivity at room temperature. This thesis proposes a theoretical method to realize spin interaction detection based on NV centers on an atomic force-microscopy(AFM) tip. To realize this method, a robust control on NV centers and target electron spins at zero magnetic field is necessary. A pulse control technique for NV centers is proposed to realize transitions between two degenerate states at zero magnetic field, which is an important part of the sensing method. The key to realizing this transition is a circularly polarized microwave pulse generated by two parallel wires. Combined with optimal control techniques, this pulse can achieve a gate fidelity over 99.95% theoretically.

•Nov 21, 2017•0 citations

Quantum sensing of photonic spin density using nitrogen-vacancy centers

Farid Kalhor, Li‐Ping Yang, Leif Bauer +4 more

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have emerged as promising room temperature quantum sensors for probing condensed matter phenomena ranging from spin liquids, 2D magnetic materials, and magnons to hydrodynamic flow of current. Here, we propose and demonstrate that the NV center in diamond can be used as a quantum sensor for detecting the photonic spin density. We demonstrate this probe both for the case of a single NV center and an ensemble of NV centers. The spinning field of light induces an effective static magnetic field in the spin qubit probe. We perform room-temperature sensing using Bloch sphere operations driven by a microwave field (XY8 protocol) to detect the photonic spin density induced effective static magnetic field.

Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics•Mar 4, 2022•1 citation
Nonlinear phenomena represent one of the central topics in the study of wave-matter interactions and constitute the key blocks for various applications in optical communication, computing, sensing, and imaging. In this work, we show that by employing the interactions between microwave photons and electron spins of nitrogen-vacancy (N\mathrm{N}N-VVV) centers, one can realize a variety of nonlinear effects, ranging from the resonance at the sum or difference frequency of two or more waves to electromagnetically induced transparency from the interference between spin transitions. We further verify the phase coherence through two-photon Rabi-oscillation measurements. The highly sensitive optically detected N\mathrm{N}N-VVV--center dynamics not only provides a platform for studying magnetically induced nonlinearities but also promises novel functionalities in quantum control and quantum sensing.
Abstract Multiple-microwave-photon transition is a nonlinear process involving the simultaneous absorption of multiple microwave photons to reach a higher energy state. This phenomenon enables microwave frequency conversion, a crucial technique for spin-wave devices, frequency synthesizers and communication devices. However, it has not been observed in nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds, which serve as a key quantum platform linking flying qubits, microwave photons, and solid-state spins. In this work, we first observed multiple-microwave-photon transitions in NV centers in diamonds, using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) methods with a single laser and microwave beam. We demonstrate that microwave frequencies, effective g-factor, and angular momentum exhibit a 1/n scaling law, but the linewidth exhibits a 1/n^2 scaling law for n-photon transitions between the ground states. Additionally, we detect the hyperfine structure of the ground states and achieve coherent spin manipulation under multi-photon excitation. Our findings offer a novel approach for the precise manipulation of NV center spin states, advancing quantum sensing and quantum information.
Among the possible defects that can occur in diamonds, one that draws attention is the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center.Studied since the early 90s, in recent years, they became one of the most promising platforms for field applications of quantum technology at room temperature, especially for quantum sensing.They are sensitive to electric and magnetic fields, temperature, and strain, making these nanosensors a versatile platform for many applications.The NV center's spin state is easy to read and manipulate by optical means, and, most interestingly, it works well at room temperature, which facilitates its use.The great challenge to implement quantum protocols and quantum algorithms is the coherence time of the quantum states.The NV center stands out for having relatively high coherence times at room temperature.This dissertation presents measurements to characterize the electron spin coherence of NV centers in an ultrapure sample of diamond designed for quantum sensing applications.These measurements combine optical e magnetic resonance techniques.For that, a method was implemented using a conventional CCD camera and a clever imaging protocol, making it possible to perform various pulsed microwave experiments on the electron spin, such as Rabi oscillations and Hahn spin-echo, which were used for determining the characteristic relaxation times (T 1 and T 2 ).Results show that this system provides at least two readily accessible qubits that can be used in quantum protocols even at room temperature.
Sensing microwave (MW) fields through a quantum protocol has attracted increasing interest, and the phase of MW fields is an essential parameter in communication and quantum technologies. This work proposes a quantum-effect-based method for measuring the phase difference of MW magnetic fields under near-field conditions based on the selective transitions of nitrogen-vacancy- (N\mathrm{N}N-V) center spins in diamond. First, the relationship between the evolutions of the N\mathrm{N}N-V-center spin states and the phase difference of the MW magnetic fields, which are resonant and able to drive the transitions of the N\mathrm{N}N-V-center spins between ground-state energy levels, is deduced. Then, using a double-microstrip-line MW antenna, the variations in the Rabi frequency and maximum contrast as a function of the phase difference are experimentally revealed. Finally, the measurement of the phase difference is validated, and the sensitivity of the proof-of-principle method is estimated to be ${0.0915}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. This method paves the way for the comprehensive quantum sensing of MW fields and has potential applications in the communication and quantum information fields.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as ideally individual spin quantum systems can be coherently manipulated by microwave fields. Compared to the traditional method using the IQ (In-phase/Quadrature) mixer with a local oscillator and intermediate-frequency (IF) signals, we report an effective and technically simple method to generate the required microwave field by frequency multiplication and realize coherent manipulation of the NV center’s electron spin. After frequency multiplication, the IF signal can be directly converted to the high-frequency microwave field with adjustable pulse width, frequency, phase, and amplitude. A series of spin dynamics applications such as Rabi oscillation, free induction decay, and spin-locking are executed, which verified its performance and feasibility. Frequency multiplication can overcome the problem of clock synchronization between the local oscillator and IF signal and greatly reduce the complexity of the experimental system. The method can be easily used to realize a more complex quantum control sequence such as dynamic decoupling and extended to a wide range of spin-based quantum information applications in the future.
As a demand from developing nanotechnology and quantum information technology based on mesoscopic material, quantum sensors with better spatial resolution and sensitivity are required. \n \nHowever, few material meets the requirements of nanoscale sensors including stability and small size. Single spin of Nitrogen-Vacancy(NV) centers in diamond crystal is one kind of the ideal quantum sensors for magnetometry that has been investigated in recent years. It provides a potential way to study the dynamics in a mesoscopic system with high sensitivity at room temperature. This thesis proposes a theoretical method to realize spin interaction detection based on NV centers on an atomic force-microscopy(AFM) tip. To realize this method, a robust control on NV centers and target electron spins at zero magnetic field is necessary. A pulse control technique for NV centers is proposed to realize transitions between two degenerate states at zero magnetic field, which is an important part of the sensing method. The key to realizing this transition is a circularly polarized microwave pulse generated by two parallel wires. Combined with optimal control techniques, this pulse can achieve a gate fidelity over 99.95% theoretically.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have emerged as promising room temperature quantum sensors for probing condensed matter phenomena ranging from spin liquids, 2D magnetic materials, and magnons to hydrodynamic flow of current. Here, we propose and demonstrate that the NV center in diamond can be used as a quantum sensor for detecting the photonic spin density. We demonstrate this probe both for the case of a single NV center and an ensemble of NV centers. The spinning field of light induces an effective static magnetic field in the spin qubit probe. We perform room-temperature sensing using Bloch sphere operations driven by a microwave field (XY8 protocol) to detect the photonic spin density induced effective static magnetic field.