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

AIP Advances

Optimization of optical spin readout of the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond based on spin relaxation model

Yuki Nakamura, Hideyuki Watanabe, Hitoshi Sumiya, Kohei M. Itoh, Kento Sasaki, Junko Ishi‐Hayase, Kensuke Kobayashi

Published May 1, 2022• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

For quantum sensing, it is vital to develop an efficient technique for determining the quantum state of the sensor. We optimize the weighting of the photoluminescence intensity for readout of the spin state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. We find that adopting a physical model that considers the optical transitions and relaxations of the NV center allows for an efficient readout. Our method improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the readout by 5.4% in a short time of 3 s, while the existing methods typically require 1 min of integration time. We also show that our technique enhances the readout of the nuclear spin memory. The demonstrated way is helpful for a wide range of measurements, from a few minutes to several days.

DOI
10.1063/5.0090450

Related papers

Enhanced spin state readout of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond using infrared fluorescence

Idan Meirzada, Sigal A. Wolf, Alex Naiman +2 more

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have been used in recent years for a wide range of applications, from nanoscale NMR to quantum computation. These applications depend strongly on the efficient readout of the NV center's spin state, which is currently limited. Here we suggest a method of reading the NV center's spin state, using the weak optical transition in the singlet manifold. We numerically calculate the number of photons collected from each spin state using this technique, and show that an order of magnitude enhancement in spin-readout signal-to-noise ratio is expected, making single-shot spin readout within reach. Thus, this method could lead to an order of magnitude enhancement in sensitivity for ubiquitous NV-based sensing applications, and remove a major obstacle from using NVs for quantum information processing.

arXiv:1906.05055•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Sep 27, 2019•9 citations

Online optimization for optical readout of a single electron spin in diamond

Xue Lin, Jingwei Fan, Runchuan Ye +4 more

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond has been developed as a promising platform for quantum sensing, especially for magnetic field measurements in the nano-tesla range with a nano-meter resolution. Optical spin readout performance has a direct effect on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of experiments. In this work, we introduce an online optimization method to customize the laser waveform for readout. Both simulations and experiments reveal that our new scheme optimizes the optically detected magnetic resonance in NV center. The SNR of optical spin readout has been witnessed a 44.1% increase in experiments. In addition, we applied the scheme to the Rabi oscillation experiment, which shows an improvement of 46.0% in contrast and a reduction of 12.1% in mean deviation compared to traditional constant laser power SNR optimization. This scheme is promising to improve sensitivities for a wide range of NV-based applications in the future.

arXiv:2212.09214•Frontiers of Physics•Jan 12, 2023•7 citations

Universal enhancement of the optical readout fidelity of single electron spins at nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Matthias Steiner, Philipp Neumann, Johannes Beck +2 more

Precise readout of spin states is crucial for any approach toward physical realization of a spin-based quantum computer and for magnetometry with single spins. Here, we report a method to strongly improve the optical readout fidelity of electron spin states associated with single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. The signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced significantly by performing conditional flip-flop processes between the electron spin and the nuclear spin of the NV center's nitrogen atom. The enhanced readout procedure is triggered by a short preparatory pulse sequence. As the nitrogen nuclear spin is intrinsically present in the system, this method is universally applicable to any nitrogen-vacancy center. Besides the readout method, our studies included coherent control over a single nitrogen nuclear spin for the first time.

arXiv:0909.2783•Physical Review B•Jan 19, 2010•204 citations

Spin Readout Techniques of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in Diamond

David A. Hopper, Henry J. Shulevitz, Lee C. Bassett

The diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is a leading platform for quantum information science due to its optical addressability and room-temperature spin coherence. However, measurements of the NV center's spin state typically require averaging over many cycles to overcome noise. Here, we review several approaches to improve the readout performance and highlight future avenues of research that could enable single-shot electron-spin readout at room temperature.

arXiv:1809.05237•Micromachines•Aug 30, 2018•144 citations

Amplified Sensitivity of Nitrogen-Vacancy Spins in Nanodiamonds Using All-Optical Charge Readout

David A. Hopper, Richard R. Grote, Samuel M. Parks +1 more

Nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers offer a versatile platform for sensing applications spanning from nanomagnetism to in vivo monitoring of cellular processes. In many cases, however, weak optical signals and poor contrast demand long acquisition times that prevent the measurement of environmental dynamics. Here, we demonstrate the ability to perform fast, high-contrast optical measurements of charge distributions in ensembles of NV centers in nanodiamonds and use the technique to improve the spin-readout signal-to-noise ratio through spin-to-charge conversion. A study of 38 nanodiamonds with sizes ranging between 20 and 70 nm, each hosting a small ensemble of NV centers, uncovers complex, multiple time scale dynamics due to radiative and nonradiative ionization and recombination processes. Nonetheless, the NV-containing nanodiamonds universally exhibit charge-dependent photoluminescence contrasts and the potential for enhanced spin readout using spin-to-charge conversion. We use the technique to speed up a T 1 relaxometry measurement by a factor of 5.

arXiv:1709.00465•ACS Nano•Apr 13, 2018•46 citations

Photoelectrical imaging and coherent spin-state readout of single nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Petr Siyushev, Miloš Nesládek, Emilie Bourgeois +7 more

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have become an important instrument for quantum sensing and quantum information science. However, the readout of NV spin state requires bulky optical setups, limiting fabrication of miniaturized compact devices for practical use. Here we realized photoelectrical detection of magnetic resonance as well as Rabi oscillations on a single-defect level. Furthermore, photoelectrical imaging of individual NV centers at room temperature was demonstrated, surpassing conventional optical readout methods by providing high imaging contrast and signal-to-noise ratio. These results pave the way toward fully integrated quantum diamond devices.

Science•Feb 14, 2019•194 citations
For quantum sensing, it is vital to develop an efficient technique for determining the quantum state of the sensor. We optimize the weighting of the photoluminescence intensity for readout of the spin state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. We find that adopting a physical model that considers the optical transitions and relaxations of the NV center allows for an efficient readout. Our method improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the readout by 5.4% in a short time of 3 s, while the existing methods typically require 1 min of integration time. We also show that our technique enhances the readout of the nuclear spin memory. The demonstrated way is helpful for a wide range of measurements, from a few minutes to several days.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have been used in recent years for a wide range of applications, from nanoscale NMR to quantum computation. These applications depend strongly on the efficient readout of the NV center's spin state, which is currently limited. Here we suggest a method of reading the NV center's spin state, using the weak optical transition in the singlet manifold. We numerically calculate the number of photons collected from each spin state using this technique, and show that an order of magnitude enhancement in spin-readout signal-to-noise ratio is expected, making single-shot spin readout within reach. Thus, this method could lead to an order of magnitude enhancement in sensitivity for ubiquitous NV-based sensing applications, and remove a major obstacle from using NVs for quantum information processing.
The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond has been developed as a promising platform for quantum sensing, especially for magnetic field measurements in the nano-tesla range with a nano-meter resolution. Optical spin readout performance has a direct effect on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of experiments. In this work, we introduce an online optimization method to customize the laser waveform for readout. Both simulations and experiments reveal that our new scheme optimizes the optically detected magnetic resonance in NV center. The SNR of optical spin readout has been witnessed a 44.1% increase in experiments. In addition, we applied the scheme to the Rabi oscillation experiment, which shows an improvement of 46.0% in contrast and a reduction of 12.1% in mean deviation compared to traditional constant laser power SNR optimization. This scheme is promising to improve sensitivities for a wide range of NV-based applications in the future.
Precise readout of spin states is crucial for any approach toward physical realization of a spin-based quantum computer and for magnetometry with single spins. Here, we report a method to strongly improve the optical readout fidelity of electron spin states associated with single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. The signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced significantly by performing conditional flip-flop processes between the electron spin and the nuclear spin of the NV center's nitrogen atom. The enhanced readout procedure is triggered by a short preparatory pulse sequence. As the nitrogen nuclear spin is intrinsically present in the system, this method is universally applicable to any nitrogen-vacancy center. Besides the readout method, our studies included coherent control over a single nitrogen nuclear spin for the first time.
Nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers offer a versatile platform for sensing applications spanning from nanomagnetism to in vivo monitoring of cellular processes. In many cases, however, weak optical signals and poor contrast demand long acquisition times that prevent the measurement of environmental dynamics. Here, we demonstrate the ability to perform fast, high-contrast optical measurements of charge distributions in ensembles of NV centers in nanodiamonds and use the technique to improve the spin-readout signal-to-noise ratio through spin-to-charge conversion. A study of 38 nanodiamonds with sizes ranging between 20 and 70 nm, each hosting a small ensemble of NV centers, uncovers complex, multiple time scale dynamics due to radiative and nonradiative ionization and recombination processes. Nonetheless, the NV-containing nanodiamonds universally exhibit charge-dependent photoluminescence contrasts and the potential for enhanced spin readout using spin-to-charge conversion. We use the technique to speed up a T 1 relaxometry measurement by a factor of 5.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have become an important instrument for quantum sensing and quantum information science. However, the readout of NV spin state requires bulky optical setups, limiting fabrication of miniaturized compact devices for practical use. Here we realized photoelectrical detection of magnetic resonance as well as Rabi oscillations on a single-defect level. Furthermore, photoelectrical imaging of individual NV centers at room temperature was demonstrated, surpassing conventional optical readout methods by providing high imaging contrast and signal-to-noise ratio. These results pave the way toward fully integrated quantum diamond devices.