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Communications Physics

Optical driving, spin initialization and readout of single SiV− centers in a Fabry-Perot resonator

Gregor W. Bayer, Robert Berghaus, Selene Sachero, Andrea B. Filipovski, Lukas Antoniuk, Niklas Lettner, Richard Waltrich, Marco Klotz, Patrick J. Maier, V. Agafonov, Alexander Kubanek

Published Oct 16, 2023• 25 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Large-scale quantum communication networks require quantum repeaters due to the signal attenuation in optical fibers. Ideal quantum repeater nodes efficiently link a quantum memory with photons serving as flying qubits. Color centers in diamond, particularly the negatively charged silicon vacancy center, are promising candidates to establish such nodes. Inefficient connection between the color center’s spin to the optical fiber networks is a major obstacle, that could be resolved by utilizing optical resonators. Here, we couple individual silicon vacancy centers incorporated in a nanodiamond to a hemispherical, stable Fabry-Perot microcavity, achieving Purcell-factors larger than 1. We demonstrate coherent optical driving between ground and excited state with a Rabi-frequency of 330 MHz, all-optical initialization and readout of the electron spin in magnetic fields of up to 3.2 T. Spin initialization within 67 ns with a 80 % fidelity and a lifetime of 350 ns are reached. Our demonstration opens the way to realize quantum repeater applications.

DOI
10.1038/s42005-023-01422-7

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Abstract Large-scale quantum communication networks require quantum repeaters due to the signal attenuation in optical fibers. Ideal quantum repeater nodes efficiently link a quantum memory with photons serving as flying qubits. Color centers in diamond, particularly the negatively charged silicon vacancy center, are promising candidates to establish such nodes. Inefficient connection between the color center’s spin to the optical fiber networks is a major obstacle, that could be resolved by utilizing optical resonators. Here, we couple individual silicon vacancy centers incorporated in a nanodiamond to a hemispherical, stable Fabry-Perot microcavity, achieving Purcell-factors larger than 1. We demonstrate coherent optical driving between ground and excited state with a Rabi-frequency of 330 MHz, all-optical initialization and readout of the electron spin in magnetic fields of up to 3.2 T. Spin initialization within 67 ns with a 80 % fidelity and a lifetime of 350 ns are reached. Our demonstration opens the way to realize quantum repeater applications.
A Quantum Repeater Platform based on Single SiV−^-− Centers in Diamond with Cavity-Assisted, All-Optical Spin Access and Fast Coherent Driving
Quantum key distribution enables secure communication based on the principles of quantum mechanics. The distance in fiber-based quantum communication is limited to about a hundred kilometers due to signal attenuation. Thus, quantum repeaters are required to establish large-scale quantum networks. Ideal quantum repeater nodes possess a quantum memory which is efficiently connected to photons, the carrier of quantum information. Color centers in diamond and, in particular, the negatively-charged silicon-vacancy centers are promising candidates to establish such nodes. The major obstacle is an inefficient connection between the color centers spin to the Gaussian optics of fiber networks. Here, we present an efficient spin-photon interface. Individual silicon-vacancy centers coupled to the mode of a hemispherical Fabry-Pérot microcavity show Purcell-factors larger than 1 when operated in a bath of liquid Helium. We demonstrate coherent optical driving with a Rabi frequency of 290 MHz290\,\mathrm{MHz}290MHz and all-optical access to the electron spin in strong magnetic fields of up to 3.2 T3.2\,\mathrm{T}3.2T. Spin initialization within 67 ns67\,\mathrm{ns}67ns with a fidelity of 80 %80\,\%80% and a lifetime of 350 ns350\,\mathrm{ns}350ns are reached inside the cavity. The spin-photon interface is passively stable, enabled by placing a color center containing nanodiamond in the hemispherical Fabry-Pérot mirror structure and by choosing short cavity lengths. Therefore, our demonstration opens the way to realize quantum repeater applications.
The negatively charged silicon-vacancy (SiV^{-}) color center in diamond has recently emerged as a promising system for quantum photonics. Its symmetry-protected optical transitions enable the creation of indistinguishable emitter arrays and deterministic coupling to nanophotonic devices. Despite this, the longest coherence time associated with its electronic spin achieved to date (∼250 ns) has been limited by coupling to acoustic phonons. We demonstrate coherent control and suppression of phonon-induced dephasing of the SiV^{-} electronic spin coherence by 5 orders of magnitude by operating at temperatures below 500 mK. By aligning the magnetic field along the SiV^{-} symmetry axis, we demonstrate spin-conserving optical transitions and single-shot readout of the SiV^{-} spin with 89% fidelity. Coherent control of the SiV^{-} spin with microwave fields is used to demonstrate a spin coherence time T_{2} of 13 ms and a spin relaxation time T_{1} exceeding 1 s at 100 mK. These results establish the SiV^{-} as a promising solid-state candidate for the realization of quantum networks.
Quantum networks require functional nodes consisting of stationary registers with the capability of high-fidelity quantum processing and storage, which efficiently interface with photons propagating in an optical fiber. We report a significant step towards realization of such nodes using a diamond nanocavity with an embedded silicon-vacancy (SiV) color center and a proximal nuclear spin. Specifically, we show that efficient SiV-cavity coupling (with cooperativity C>30) provides a nearly deterministic interface between photons and the electron spin memory, featuring coherence times exceeding 1 ms. Employing coherent microwave control, we demonstrate heralded single photon storage in the long-lived spin memory as well as a universal control over a cavity-coupled two-qubit register consisting of a SiV and a proximal ^{13}C nuclear spin with nearly second-long coherence time, laying the groundwork for implementing quantum repeaters.
Solid-state spin defects, such as color centers in diamond, are among the most promising candidates for scalable and integrated quantum technologies. In particular, the good optical properties of silicon-vacancy centers in diamond combined with naturally occurring and exceptionally coherent nuclear spins serve as a building block for quantum networking applications. Here, we show that leveraging an ultra-high strained silicon-vacancy center inside a nanodiamond allows us to coherently and efficiently control its electron spin, while mitigating phonon-induced dephasing at liquid helium temperature. Moreover, we indirectly control and characterize a 13C nuclear spin and establish a quantum register. We overcome limited nuclear spin initialization by implementing single-shot nuclear spin readout. Lastly, we demonstrate coherent optical control with GHz rates, thus connecting the register to the optical domain. Our work paves the way for future integration of quantum network registers into conventional, well-established photonics and hybrid quantum communication systems.
Abstract Solid-state spin defects, such as color centers in diamond, are among the most promising candidates for scalable and integrated quantum technologies. In particular, the good optical properties of silicon-vacancy centers in diamond, combined with naturally occurring and exceptionally coherent nuclear spins, serve as a building block for quantum networking applications. Here, we show that leveraging an ultra-high-strained silicon-vacancy center inside a nanodiamond allows us to coherently and efficiently control its electron spin, while mitigating phonon-induced dephasing at liquid helium temperature. Moreover, we indirectly control and characterize a 13C nuclear spin and establish a quantum register. We overcome limited nuclear spin initialization by implementing single-shot nuclear spin readout. Lastly, we demonstrate coherent optical control with GHz rates, thus opening a potential connection of the register to the optical domain. Our work paves the way for future integration of quantum network registers into conventional, well-established photonics and hybrid quantum communication systems.