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

Nature Physics

Excited-state spin coherence of a single nitrogen–vacancy centre in diamond

Gregory D. Fuchs, V. V. Dobrovitski, D.M. Toyli, F. Joseph Heremans, Christoph D. Weis, Thomas Schenkel, D. D. Awschalom

Published Jul 11, 2010• 108 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1038/nphys1716

Related papers

Fine structure of excited state in nitrogen-vacancy centre of diamond

J.P.D. Martin

Journal of Luminescence•Jun 1, 1999•39 citations

Spin-flip and spin-conserving optical transitions of the nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond

Philippe Tamarat, N. B. Manson, J. P. Harrison +9 more

We map out the first excited state sublevel structure of single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres in diamond. The excited state is an orbital doublet where one branch supports an efficient cycling transition, while the other can simultaneously support fully allowed optical Raman spin-flip transitions. This is crucial for the success of many recently proposed quantum information applications of the NV defects. We further find that an external electric field can be used to completely control the optical properties of a single centre. Finally, a group theoretical model is developed that explains the observations and provides good physical understanding of the excited state structure.

New Journal of Physics•Apr 30, 2008•186 citations

Spin dynamics in the optical cycle of single nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond

Lucio Robledo, Hannes Bernien, Toeno van der Sar +1 more

We investigate spin-dependent decay and intersystem crossing (ISC) in the optical cycle of single negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. We use spin control and pulsed optical excitation to extract both the spin-resolved lifetimes of the excited states and the degree of optically induced spin polarization. By optically exciting the centre with a series of picosecond pulses, we determine the spin-flip probabilities per optical cycle, as well as the spin-dependent probability for ISC. This information, together with the independently measured decay rate of singlet population, provides a full description of spin dynamics in the optical cycle of NV centres. The temperature dependence of the singlet population decay rate provides information about the number of singlet states involved in the optical cycle.

arXiv:1010.1192•New Journal of Physics•Feb 21, 2011•304 citations

Decoherence of nitrogen-vacancy center spins in diamond and its control

Sai-Wah Ho, Jian Liang Hu, Nan Zhao +1 more

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 16, 2010•0 citations

Single defect centres in diamond: A review

Fedor Jelezko, Jörg Wrachtrup

Abstract The nitrogen vacancy and some nickel related defects in diamond can be observed as single quantum systems in diamond by their fluorescence. The fabrication of single colour centres occurs via generation of vacancies or via controlled nitrogen implantation in the case of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centre. The NV centre shows an electron paramagnetic ground and optically excited state. As a result electron and nuclear magnetic resonance can be carried out on single defects. Due to the localized nature of the electron spin wavefunction hyperfine coupling to nuclei more than one lattice constant away from the defect as dominated by dipolar interaction. As a consequence the coupling to close nuclei leads to a splitting in the spectrum which allows for optically detected electron nuclear double resonance. The contribution discusses the physics of the NV and other defect centre from the perspective of single defect centre spectroscopy. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

physica status solidi (a)•Oct 1, 2006•931 citations

Excited-State Spectroscopy and Control of Single Spins in Diamond

Gregory D. Fuchs

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 16, 2009•0 citations
We map out the first excited state sublevel structure of single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres in diamond. The excited state is an orbital doublet where one branch supports an efficient cycling transition, while the other can simultaneously support fully allowed optical Raman spin-flip transitions. This is crucial for the success of many recently proposed quantum information applications of the NV defects. We further find that an external electric field can be used to completely control the optical properties of a single centre. Finally, a group theoretical model is developed that explains the observations and provides good physical understanding of the excited state structure.
We investigate spin-dependent decay and intersystem crossing (ISC) in the optical cycle of single negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. We use spin control and pulsed optical excitation to extract both the spin-resolved lifetimes of the excited states and the degree of optically induced spin polarization. By optically exciting the centre with a series of picosecond pulses, we determine the spin-flip probabilities per optical cycle, as well as the spin-dependent probability for ISC. This information, together with the independently measured decay rate of singlet population, provides a full description of spin dynamics in the optical cycle of NV centres. The temperature dependence of the singlet population decay rate provides information about the number of singlet states involved in the optical cycle.
Abstract The nitrogen vacancy and some nickel related defects in diamond can be observed as single quantum systems in diamond by their fluorescence. The fabrication of single colour centres occurs via generation of vacancies or via controlled nitrogen implantation in the case of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centre. The NV centre shows an electron paramagnetic ground and optically excited state. As a result electron and nuclear magnetic resonance can be carried out on single defects. Due to the localized nature of the electron spin wavefunction hyperfine coupling to nuclei more than one lattice constant away from the defect as dominated by dipolar interaction. As a consequence the coupling to close nuclei leads to a splitting in the spectrum which allows for optically detected electron nuclear double resonance. The contribution discusses the physics of the NV and other defect centre from the perspective of single defect centre spectroscopy. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)