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arXiv:2503.14761 · APL Quantum

Approaching unity photon collection from NV centers via ultra-precise positioning of nanodiamonds in hybrid nanoantennas

Boaz Lubotzky, Hamza A. Abudayyeh, Niko Nikolay, Oliver J. Benson, Ronen Rapaport

Published Sep 1, 2025• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Efficient readout of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds is crucial for various quantum information technologies. However, achieving high-fidelity, single-shot readout at room temperature remains challenging due to limited photon collection efficiency (CE) and background noise. In this work, we enhance the readout efficiency of NV centers by integrating them into hybrid metal–dielectric bullseye nanoantennas using ultra-precise deterministic positioning. This approach enables highly directional emission while minimizing optical losses, resulting in a measured CE of ∼80% at a numerical aperture (NA) as low as 0.5 and approaching unity for NA > 0.8. This marks a substantial improvement over previous realizations using nanodiamonds, by combining hybrid nanoantennas with precise positioning. Our results mark a substantial advancement toward efficient single-shot readout of NV centers by significantly improving readout fidelity and efficiency in a simple on-chip configuration.

DOI
10.1063/5.0272913

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Efficient readout of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds is crucial for various quantum information technologies. However, achieving high-fidelity, single-shot readout at room temperature remains challenging due to limited photon collection efficiency (CE) and background noise. In this work, we enhance the readout efficiency of NV centers by integrating them into hybrid metal–dielectric bullseye nanoantennas using ultra-precise deterministic positioning. This approach enables highly directional emission while minimizing optical losses, resulting in a measured CE of ∼80% at a numerical aperture (NA) as low as 0.5 and approaching unity for NA > 0.8. This marks a substantial improvement over previous realizations using nanodiamonds, by combining hybrid nanoantennas with precise positioning. Our results mark a substantial advancement toward efficient single-shot readout of NV centers by significantly improving readout fidelity and efficiency in a simple on-chip configuration.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have emerged in recent years as a leading platform for high-sensitivity microwave sensing, due to their spin-dependent optical response and stability at room temperature. In this work, we propose a hybrid modeling approach that combines Lindblad-based quantum dynamics with classical electromagnetic simulations to study and improve the emission behavior of NV centers under coherent optical excitation. A three-level open quantum system is used to describe the NV dynamics under green laser excitation, with a Rabi frequency ofΩ12=7.24Γ13\Omega_{12}=7.24\Gamma_{13}Ω12​=7.24Γ13​. To enhance photon extraction, we design a dielectric bullseye nanoantenna that reshapes the emission pattern and increases the radiated power by over 100 times. This combined approach offers a practical route for optimizing NV-based emitters in microwave quantum sensing for telecommunications application.
Abstract Coherent exchange of single photons is at the heart of applied quantum optics. The negatively-charged silicon vacancy center in diamond is among most promising sources for coherent single photons. Its large Debye–Waller factor, short lifetime and extraordinary spectral stability is unique in the field of solid-state single photon sources. However, the excitation and detection of individual centers requires high numerical aperture (NA) optics which, combined with the need for cryogenic temperatures, puts technical overhead on experimental realizations. Here, we investigate a hybrid quantum photonics platform based on silicon-vacancy center in nanodiamonds and metallic bullseye antenna to realize a coherent single-photon resource that operates efficiently down to low NA optics with an inherent resistance to misalignment.
Nitrogen–vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are generally recognized as highly promising as indefinitely stable highly efficient single-photon sources. We report an experimental quantification of the brightness, radiative decay rate, nonradiative decay rate and quantum efficiency of single NV centers in diamond nanocrystals. Our experiments show that the commonly observed large spread in fluorescence decay rates of NV centers in nanodiamond is inconsistent with the common explanation of large nanophotonic mode-density variations in the ultra-small high-index crystals at near-unity quantum efficiency. We report that NV centers in 25 nm nanocrystals are essentially insensitive to local density of optical states (LDOS) variations that we induce at a dielectric interface by using liquids to vary the refractive index, and propose that quantum efficiencies in such nanocrystals are widely distributed between 0 and 20%. For single NV centers in larger 100 nm nanocrystals, we show that decay rate changes can be reversibly induced by nanomechanically approaching a mirror to change the LDOS. Using this scanning mirror method, for the first time we report calibrated quantum efficiencies of NV centers, and show that different but nominally identical nanocrystals have widely distributed quantum efficiencies between 10 and 90%. Our measurements imply that nanocrystals that are to be assembled into hybrid photonic structures for cavity QED should first be individually screened to assess fluorescence properties in detail.
Abstract High-fidelity projective readout of a qubit’s state in a single experimental repetition is a prerequisite for various quantum protocols of sensing and computing. Achieving single-shot readout is challenging for solid-state qubits. For Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, it has been realized using nuclear memories or resonant excitation at cryogenic temperature. All of these existing approaches have stringent experimental demands. In particular, they require a high efficiency of photon collection, such as immersion optics or all-diamond micro-optics. For some of the most relevant applications, such as shallow implanted NV centers in a cryogenic environment, these tools are unavailable. Here we demonstrate an all-optical spin readout scheme that achieves single-shot fidelity even if photon collection is poor (delivering less than 10 3 clicks/second). The scheme is based on spin-dependent resonant excitation at cryogenic temperature combined with spin-to-charge conversion, mapping the fragile electron spin states to the stable charge states. We prove this technique to work on shallow implanted NV centers, as they are required for sensing and scalable NV-based quantum registers.
Coherent exchange of single photons is at the heart of applied Quantum Optics. The negatively-charged silicon vacancy center in diamond is among most promising sources for coherent single photons. Its large Debye-Waller factor, short lifetime and extraordinary spectral stability is unique in the field of solid-state single photon sources. However, the excitation and detection of individual centers requires high numerical aperture optics which, combined with the need for cryogenic temperatures, puts technical overhead on experimental realizations. Here, we investigate a hybrid quantum photonics platform based on silicon-vacancy center in nanodiamonds and metallic bullseye antenna to realize a coherent single-photon interface that operates efficiently down to low numerical aperture optics with an inherent resistance to misalignment.
Single-photon sources are essential for quantum technologies, supporting secure communication, quantum computing, and integrated photonic systems. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds are robust emitters that operate at room temperature and can be positioned on-chip, but efficient coupling to photonic modes remains challenging. We present the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a silicon nitride photonic structure engineered to enhance and extract emission from NV centers. The device features a subwavelength gap between waveguides, a Bragg reflector for emission redirection, and an output waveguide for collection. Simulations guided the optimization of the geometry to increase the spontaneous emission rate through photonic confinement. Nanodiamonds were deposited into the gap using lithographic patterning and drop-casting. Fluorescence lifetime measurements confirm that the structure modifies the emission dynamics of the NV centers. The approach is compatible with scalable fabrication techniques and offers a practical route toward integrated, chip-based single-photon sources.