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

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Emission of Diamond NV Centers in Dielectric, Semiconducting and Plasmonic Environments

Hao Li, Jun‐Yu Ou, V.A. Fedotov, Nikitas Papasimakis, Nikolay I. Zheludev

Published Jan 1, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate that decay rates of NV centers in diamond nanoparticles strongly depend on the dielectric environment. Embedding into and placing on dielectric, semiconductor and plasmonic films of subwavelength thickness is investigated by time-resolved cathodoluminescence.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2020.fm1d.1

Related papers

Decay rate statistics of NV centres in diamond on plasmonic and dielectric substrates

Hao Li, Jun‐Yu Ou, Nikitas Papasimakis +2 more

We study experimentally the statistics of the emission characteristics of NV0 centres in diamond nanoparticles in different dielectric environments. Diamond nanoparticleswith sizes of ~120 nm each containing a large number of NV centres (>1000) are deposited on different substrates, including dielectrics (silicon, silicon nitride, diamond) and plasmonic metals (silver). We record lifetime and emission spectra by time-resolved cathodoluminescence (TR-CL). For each different substrate we collect data from 60 different clusters of particles and study the statistics of their emission properties. We observe a strong variation of the lifetime statistics in different substrates, with the shortest average decay rate and narrowest distribution occurring in the case of diamond substrate. On the other hand, plasmonic (Ag) and high index dielectric (Si) substrate result in longer lifetimes and substantially broader distributions. Our results provide insights into the role of the dielectric environment and indicate the presence of complex interactions with the substrate.

•Sep 16, 2019•0 citations

Lifetime distributions of NV centres in diamond on plasmonic and dielectric substrates

Hao Li, Jun‐Yu Ou, Nikitas Papasimakis +2 more

We observe a strong variation of the lifetime statistics of nanodiamonds (NDs) in different substrates: NDs on silicon and silver exhibit longer lifetimes and broader distributions than NDs on silicon nitride and diamond film . On the other hand, the diamond substrate results in the shortest average decay rate and narrowest distribution. Our results provide insights into the role of the dielectric environment we argue that they indicate the presence of complex interactions with the substrate related to the difference in optical properties between the diamond nanoparticles in which the emitters are situated and the substrate.

•Sep 4, 2019•0 citations

Decay rate enhancement of diamond NV-centers on diamond thin films

Hao Li, Jun‐Yu Ou, V.A. Fedotov +1 more

We demonstrate experimentally two-fold enhancement of the decay rate of NV° centers on diamond/Si substrate as opposed to a bare Si substrate. We link the decay enhancement to the interplay between the excitation of substrate modes and the presence of non-radiative decay channels. We show that the radiative decay rate can vary by up to 90% depending on the thickness of the diamond film.

arXiv:2103.08774•Optics Express•Jun 24, 2021•0 citations

Diamond particles as nanoantennas for nitrogen-vacancy color centers

Jean‐Jacques Greffet, Jean‐Paul Hugonin, Mondher Besbes +3 more

The photoluminescence of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond nanoparticles exhibits specific properties as compared to NV centers in bulk diamond. For instance large fluctuations of lifetime and brightness from particle to particle have been reported. It has also been observed that for nanocrystals much smaller than the mean luminescence wavelength, the particle size sets a lower threshold for resolution in Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy. We show that all these features can be quantitatively understood by realizing that the absorption-emission of light by the NV center is mediated by the diamond nanoparticle which behaves as a dielectric nanoantenna.

arXiv:1107.0502•Jul 3, 2011•19 citations

Control of spontaneous emission rate in luminescent resonant diamond particles

Roman S. Savelev, Anastasia Zalogina, Sergey Ivanovich Kudryashov +5 more

We study the properties of luminescent diamond particles of different sizes (up to ~1.5 μ m) containing multiple NV-centers. We theoretically predict that the average liftetime in such particles is decreased by several times as compared to optically small subwavelength nanodiamonds. In our experiments, samples were obtained by milling the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited diamond film, and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and dark- field spectroscopy methods. Time-resolved luminescence measurements of the excited state of NV-centers showed that their average lifetime varies from 10 to 17 ns in different samples. By comparing this data to the values of the lifetime of the NV-centers in optically small nanodiamonds, known from literature, we confirm a severalfold decrease of the lifetime in resonant particles.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Jan 1, 2018•3 citations

NV‐plasmonics: modifying optical emission of an NV − center via plasmonic metal nanoparticles

Harini Hapuarachchi, Francesco Campaioli, Jared H. Cole

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is very sensitive to magnetic and electric fields, strain, and temperature. In addition, it is possible to optically interrogate individual defects, making it an ideal quantum-limited sensor with nanoscale resolution. A key limitation for the application of NV sensing is the optical brightness and collection efficiency of these defects. Plasmonic resonances of metal nanoparticles have been used in a variety of applications to increase the brightness and efficiency of quantum emitters, and therefore are a promising tool to improve NV sensing. However, the interaction between NV centers and plasmonic structures is largely unexplored. In particular, the back-action between NV and plasmonic nanoparticles is nonlinear and depends on optical wavelength, nanoparticle position, and metal type. Here we present the general theory of NV-plasmonic nanoparticle interactions. We detail how the interplay between NV response, including optical and vibrational signatures, and the plasmonic response of the metal nanoparticle results in modifications to the emission spectra. Our model is able to explain quantitatively the existing experimental measurements of NV centers near metal nanoparticles. In addition, it provides a pathway to developing new plasmonic structures to improve readout efficiencies in a range of applications for the NV center. This will enable higher precision sensors, with greater bandwidth as well as new readout modalities for quantum computing and communication.

Nanophotonics•Oct 19, 2022•16 citations
We study experimentally the statistics of the emission characteristics of NV0 centres in diamond nanoparticles in different dielectric environments. Diamond nanoparticleswith sizes of ~120 nm each containing a large number of NV centres (>1000) are deposited on different substrates, including dielectrics (silicon, silicon nitride, diamond) and plasmonic metals (silver). We record lifetime and emission spectra by time-resolved cathodoluminescence (TR-CL). For each different substrate we collect data from 60 different clusters of particles and study the statistics of their emission properties. We observe a strong variation of the lifetime statistics in different substrates, with the shortest average decay rate and narrowest distribution occurring in the case of diamond substrate. On the other hand, plasmonic (Ag) and high index dielectric (Si) substrate result in longer lifetimes and substantially broader distributions. Our results provide insights into the role of the dielectric environment and indicate the presence of complex interactions with the substrate.
We observe a strong variation of the lifetime statistics of nanodiamonds (NDs) in different substrates: NDs on silicon and silver exhibit longer lifetimes and broader distributions than NDs on silicon nitride and diamond film . On the other hand, the diamond substrate results in the shortest average decay rate and narrowest distribution. Our results provide insights into the role of the dielectric environment we argue that they indicate the presence of complex interactions with the substrate related to the difference in optical properties between the diamond nanoparticles in which the emitters are situated and the substrate.
The photoluminescence of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond nanoparticles exhibits specific properties as compared to NV centers in bulk diamond. For instance large fluctuations of lifetime and brightness from particle to particle have been reported. It has also been observed that for nanocrystals much smaller than the mean luminescence wavelength, the particle size sets a lower threshold for resolution in Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy. We show that all these features can be quantitatively understood by realizing that the absorption-emission of light by the NV center is mediated by the diamond nanoparticle which behaves as a dielectric nanoantenna.
We study the properties of luminescent diamond particles of different sizes (up to ~1.5 μ m) containing multiple NV-centers. We theoretically predict that the average liftetime in such particles is decreased by several times as compared to optically small subwavelength nanodiamonds. In our experiments, samples were obtained by milling the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited diamond film, and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and dark- field spectroscopy methods. Time-resolved luminescence measurements of the excited state of NV-centers showed that their average lifetime varies from 10 to 17 ns in different samples. By comparing this data to the values of the lifetime of the NV-centers in optically small nanodiamonds, known from literature, we confirm a severalfold decrease of the lifetime in resonant particles.
The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is very sensitive to magnetic and electric fields, strain, and temperature. In addition, it is possible to optically interrogate individual defects, making it an ideal quantum-limited sensor with nanoscale resolution. A key limitation for the application of NV sensing is the optical brightness and collection efficiency of these defects. Plasmonic resonances of metal nanoparticles have been used in a variety of applications to increase the brightness and efficiency of quantum emitters, and therefore are a promising tool to improve NV sensing. However, the interaction between NV centers and plasmonic structures is largely unexplored. In particular, the back-action between NV and plasmonic nanoparticles is nonlinear and depends on optical wavelength, nanoparticle position, and metal type. Here we present the general theory of NV-plasmonic nanoparticle interactions. We detail how the interplay between NV response, including optical and vibrational signatures, and the plasmonic response of the metal nanoparticle results in modifications to the emission spectra. Our model is able to explain quantitatively the existing experimental measurements of NV centers near metal nanoparticles. In addition, it provides a pathway to developing new plasmonic structures to improve readout efficiencies in a range of applications for the NV center. This will enable higher precision sensors, with greater bandwidth as well as new readout modalities for quantum computing and communication.