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Symposium Latsis on Diamond Photonics - Physics, Technologies and Applications

Modifying the Emission Rate of Color Centers in Nanodiamonds using Photonic Crystals

Sachin Kumar Sharma, Rajesh V. Nair

Published Jan 1, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study the modification of spontaneous emission rate of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds using photonic crystals. We discuss the spectral dependence of emission lifetime which give new insights into the charge state dynamics of NV centers. The results would open new paradigms to quantum nanophotonics using nanodiamonds.
DOI
10.1364/dp.2019.13

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The defect centers in solid-state materials especially the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have shown a tremendous potential for their utilization in quantum technology applications. However, they exhibit certain drawbacks such as the feeble zero phonon line with huge phonon contribution and the higher lifetime values. Here, we present a novel approach to control the spontaneous emission from NV centers in nanodiamond using engineered self-assembled photonic crystals. Using two complimentary emission measuring geometries at room temperature, we show a 63% suppression and 17% enhancement of NV center emission intensity using photonic stopgap, supported with simulations. The emission rates are modified in a broad spectral range of NV center emission and are consistent with the Barnett–Loudon sum rule. The results are crucial for emerging quantum technologies using NV centers in diamond.
Abstract The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is one of the most prominent candidates for quantum technologies, and its efficient utilization requires control over its spontaneous emission rate. Here, we report the wavelength-selective enhancement and suppression of NV center emission lifetime at room temperature by modifying the local density of optical states (LDOS) around them. The results are explained using the Barnett–Loudon sum rule and also supported by the LDOS calculations. Two complementary measurement geometries are employed to study the direction-dependent emission behavior from the nanodiamonds decorated on the top of photonic crystals. The lifetime distributions are compared with a proper reference sample using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to verify the distinct nature of lifetime distributions. The wavelength-selective enhancement or suppression of emission rates would be useful for NV center-based high-resolution imaging and effective readout of its charge states.
Recently, the nitrogen vacancy (NV) center has emerged as a deterministic single-photon source at room temperature. However, the presence of phonon sideband emission limits the use of NV centers in various quantum optical applications. Here we report a novel way to suppress the phonon sideband emission of NV centers aided with the enhancement of zero phonon line intensity using photonic crystals at room temperature. We study the photonic stop gap mediated charge state conversion in NV centers. The enhancement of phonon sideband emission from the same structures by implementing a different measurement geometry is also discussed. The studies open new avenues in studying the NV center-based quantum nanophotonics and biophotonics.
The negatively-charged nitrogen vacancy (NV(-)) center in diamond is of great interest for quantum information processing and quantum key distribution applications due to its highly desirable long coherence times at room temperature. One of the challenges for their use in these applications involves the requirement to further optimize the lifetime and emission properties of the centers. Our results demonstrate the reduction of the lifetime of NV(-) centers, and hence an increase in the emission rate, achieved by modifying the refractive index of the environment surrounding the nanodiamond (ND). By coating the NDs in a polymer film, experimental results and numerical calculations show an average of 63% reduction in the lifetime and an average enhancement in the emission rate by a factor of 1.6. This strategy is also applicable for emitters other than diamond color centers where the particle refractive index is greater than the refractive index of the surrounding media.
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.