All-optical control of a solid-state spin using coherent dark states

Roadmap on nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging

The field of nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (NanoMRI) was started 30 years ago. It was motivated by the desire to image single molecules and molecular assemblies, such as proteins and virus particles, with near-atomic spatial resolution and on a length scale of 100 nm. Over the years, the NanoMRI field has also expanded to include the goal of useful high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of molecules under ambient conditions, including samples up to the micron-scale. The realization of these goals requires the development of spin detection techniques that are many orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional NMR and MRI, capable of detecting and controlling nanoscale ensembles of spins. Over the years, a number of different technical approaches to NanoMRI have emerged, each possessing a distinct set of capabilities for basic and applied areas of science. The goal of this roadmap article is to report the current state of the art in NanoMRI technologies, outline the areas where they are poised to have impact, identify the challenges that lie ahead, and propose methods to meet these challenges. This roadmap also shows how developments in NanoMRI techniques can lead to breakthroughs in emerging quantum science and technology applications.

Stabilization of spin states of an open system: bichromatic driving of resonance transitions in NV ensembles in diamond

We apply a laser and two nearly degenerate microwave fields upon an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond and observe magnetic resonance structures with two-component, composite shapes of nested Lorentzians with different widths. One component of them undergoes regular power-broadening, whereas the linewidth of the other one becomes power-independent and undergoes field-induced stabilization. We show that the observed width stabilization is a general phenomenon that results from competition between coherent driving and non-conservation of populations that occur in open systems. The phenomenon is interpreted in terms of specific combinations of state populations that play the role of bright and dark states.

Diamond surface engineering for molecular sensing with nitrogen-vacancy centers

Quantum sensing using optically addressable atomic-scale defects, such as the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, provides new opportunities for sensitive and highly localized characterization of chemical functionality. Notably, near-surface defects facilitate detection of the minute magnetic fields generated by nuclear or electron spins outside of the diamond crystal, such as those in chemisorbed and physisorbed molecules. However, the promise of NV centers is hindered by a severe degradation of critical sensor properties, namely charge stability and spin coherence, near surfaces (< ca. 10 nm deep). Moreover, applications in the chemical sciences require methods for covalent bonding of target molecules to diamond with robust control over density, orientation, and binding configuration. This forward-looking Review provides a survey of the rapidly converging fields of diamond surface science and NV-center physics, highlighting their combined potential for quantum sensing of molecules. We outline the diamond surface properties that are advantageous for NV-sensing applications, and discuss strategies to mitigate deleterious effects while simultaneously providing avenues for chemical attachment. Finally, we present an outlook on emerging applications in which the unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution of NV-based sensing could provide unique insight into chemically functionalized surfaces at the single-molecule level.

Quantum-coherent nanoscience

For the past three decades nanoscience has widely affected many areas in physics, chemistry and engineering, and has led to numerous fundamental discoveries, as well as applications and products. Concurrently, quantum science and technology has developed into a cross-disciplinary research endeavour connecting these same areas and holds burgeoning commercial promise. Although quantum physics dictates the behaviour of nanoscale objects, quantum coherence, which is central to quantum information, communication and sensing, has not played an explicit role in much of nanoscience. This Review describes fundamental principles and practical applications of quantum coherence in nanoscale systems, a research area we call quantum-coherent nanoscience. We structure this Review according to specific degrees of freedom that can be quantum-coherently controlled in a given nanoscale system, such as charge, spin, mechanical motion and photons. We review the current state of the art and focus on outstanding challenges and opportunities unlocked by the merging of nanoscience and coherent quantum operations.

Realizing quinary charge states of solitary defects in two-dimensional intermetallic semiconductor

Creating and manipulating multiple charge states of solitary defects in semiconductors is of essential importance for solitary defect electronics, but is fundamentally limited by Coulomb's law. Achieving this objective is challenging, due to the conflicting requirements of the localization necessary for the sizable band gap and delocalization necessary for a low charging energy. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy experiments and first-principles calculations, we realized exotic quinary charge states of solitary defects in two-dimensional intermetallic semiconductor Sn2Bi. We also observed an ultralow defect charging energy that increases sublinearly with charge number rather than displaying the usual quadratic behavior. Our work suggests a promising route for constructing multiple defect-charge states by designing intermetallic semiconductors, and opens new opportunities for developing quantum devices with charge-based quantum states.

Classifying global state preparation via deep reinforcement learning

Quantum information processing often requires the preparation of arbitrary quantum states, such as all the states on the Bloch sphere for two-level systems. While numerical optimization can prepare individual target states, they lack the ability to find general control protocols that can generate many different target states. Here, we demonstrate global quantum control by preparing a continuous set of states with deep reinforcement learning. The protocols are represented using neural networks, which automatically groups the protocols into similar types, which could be useful for finding classes of protocols and extracting physical insights. As application, we generate arbitrary superposition states for the electron spin in complex multi-level nitrogen-vacancy centers, revealing classes of protocols characterized by specific preparation timescales. Our method could help improve control of near-term quantum computers, quantum sensing devices and quantum simulations.

Optical Control of a Single Nuclear Spin in the Solid State

We demonstrate a novel method for coherent optical manipulation of individual nuclear spins in the solid state, mediated by the electronic states of a proximal quantum emitter. Specifically, using the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond, we demonstrate control of a proximal ^{14}N nuclear spin via an all-optical Raman technique. We evaluate the extent to which the intrinsic physical properties of the NV center limit the performance of coherent control, and we find that it is ultimately constrained by the relative rates of transverse hyperfine coupling and radiative decay in the NV center's excited state. Possible extensions and applications to other color centers are discussed.

Fundamental Limits to Coherent Photon Generation with Solid-State Atomlike Transitions

Coherent generation of indistinguishable single photons is crucial for many quantum communication and processing protocols. Solid-state realizations of two-level atomic transitions or three-level spin-Λ systems offer significant advantages over their atomic counterparts for this purpose, albeit decoherence can arise due to environmental couplings. One popular approach to mitigate dephasing is to operate in the weak-excitation limit, where the excited-state population is minimal and coherently scattered photons dominate over incoherent emission. Here we probe the coherence of photons produced using two-level and spin-Λ solid-state systems. We observe that the coupling of the atomiclike transitions to the vibronic transitions of the crystal lattice is independent of the driving strength, even for detuned excitation using the spin-Λ configuration. We apply a polaron master equation to capture the non-Markovian dynamics of the vibrational manifolds. These results provide insight into the fundamental limitations to photon coherence from solid-state quantum emitters.

Opto-Spintronics: Photoisomerization-Induced Spin State Switching at 300 K in Photochrome Cobalt-Dioxolene Thin Films

Controllable quantum systems are under active investigation for quantum computing, secure information processing, and nonvolatile memory. The optical manipulation of spin quantum states provides an important strategy for quantum control with both temporal and spatial resolution. Challenges in increasing the lifetime of photoinduced magnetic states at T > 200 K have hindered progress toward utilizing photomagnetic materials in quantum device architectures. Here we demonstrate reversible light-induced magnetization switching in an organic thin film at device operating temperatures of 300-330 K. By utilizing photochromic ligands that undergo structural changes in the solid state, the changes in ligand field associated with photoisomerization modulate the ligand field and in turn the oxidation and spin state of a bound metal center. Green light irradiation (λ_exc = 550 nm) of a spirooxazine cobalt-dioxolene complex induces photoisomerization of the ligand that in turn triggers a reversible intramolecular charge-transfer coupled spin-transition process at the cobalt center. The generation of photomagnetic states through conversion between a low-spin Co(III)-semiquinone doublet and a high-spin Co(II)-bis-semiquinone sextet state has been demonstrated in both solution and the solid state and is described as a photoisomerization-induced spin-charge excited state (PISCES) process. The high transition temperature (325 K) and long-lived photoinduced state (τ = 10 s at 300 K) are dictated by the photochromic ligand. Theory provides effective modeling of the phenomenon and long-term strategies to further modulate the lifetimes of photomagnetic states for quantum information technologies at the single molecule level.

Spin Readout Techniques of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in Diamond

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.

Universal holonomic single quantum gates over a geometric spin with phase-modulated polarized light

We demonstrate universal non-adiabatic non-abelian holonomic single quantum gates over a geometric electron spin with phase-modulated polarized light and 93% average fidelity. This allows purely geometric rotation around an arbitrary axis by any angle defined by light polarization and phase using a degenerate three-level Λ-type system in a negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. Since the control light is completely resonant to the ancillary excited state, the demonstrated holonomic gate not only is fast with low power, but also is precise without the dynamical phase being subject to control error and environmental noise. It thus allows pulse shaping for further fidelity.

Ultrafast Coherent Control of Condensed Matter with Attosecond Precision

Coherent control is a technique to manipulate wave functions of matter with light. Coherent control of isolated atoms and molecules in the gas phase is well-understood and developed since the 1990s, whereas its application to condensed matter is more difficult because its coherence lifetime is shorter. We have recently applied this technique to condensed matter samples, one of which is solid para-hydrogen ( p-H₂). Intramolecular vibrational excitation of solid p-H₂ gives an excited vibrational wave function called a "vibron", which is delocalized over many hydrogen molecules in a manner similar to a Frenkel exciton. It has a long coherence lifetime, so we have chosen solid p-H₂ as our first target in the condensed phase. We shine a time-delayed pair of femtosecond laser pulses on p-H₂ to generate vibrons. Their interference results in modulation of the amplitude of their superposition. Scanning the interpulse delay on the attosecond time scale gives a high interferometric contrast, which demonstrates the possibility of using solid p-H₂ as a carrier of information encoded in the vibrons. In the second example, we have controlled the terahertz collective phonon motion, called a "coherent phonon", of a single crystal of bismuth. We employ an intensity-modulated laser pulse, whose temporal envelope is modulated with terahertz frequency by overlap of two positively chirped laser pulses with their adjustable time delay. This modulated laser pulse is shined on the bismuth crystal to excite its two orthogonal phonon modes. Their relative amplitudes are controlled by tuning the delay between the two chirped pulses on the attosecond time scale. Two-dimensional atomic motion in the crystal is thus controlled arbitrarily. The method is based on the simple, robust, and universal concept that in any physical system, two-dimensional particle motion is decomposed into two orthogonal one-dimensional motions, and thus, it is applicable to a variety of condensed matter systems. In the third example, the double-pulse interferometry used for solid p-H₂ has been applied to many-body electronic wave functions of an ensemble of ultracold rubidium Rydberg atoms, hereafter called a "strongly correlated ultracold Rydberg gas". This has allowed the observation and control of many-body electron dynamics of more than 40 Rydberg atoms interacting with each other. This new combination of ultrafast coherent control and ultracold atoms offers a versatile platform to precisely observe and manipulate nonequilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems on the ultrashort time scale. These three examples are digested in this Account.

Spatially resolved control of fictitious magnetic fields in a cold atomic ensemble

Effective and unrestricted engineering of atom-photon interactions requires precise spatially resolved control of light beams. The significant potential of such manipulations lies in a set of disciplines ranging from solid-state to atomic physics. Here we use a Zeeman-like ac-Stark shift caused by a shaped laser beam to perform rotations of spins with spatial resolution in a large ensemble of cold rubidium atoms. We show that inhomogeneities of light intensity are the main source of dephasing and, thus, decoherence; yet, with proper beam shaping, this deleterious effect is strongly mitigated allowing rotations of 15 rad within one spin-precession lifetime. Finally, as a particular example of a complex manipulation enabled by our scheme, we demonstrate a range of collapse-and-revival behaviors of a free-induction decay signal by imprinting comb-like patterns on the atomic ensemble.

Holonomic Quantum Control by Coherent Optical Excitation in Diamond

Although geometric phases in quantum evolution are historically overlooked, their active control now stimulates strategies for constructing robust quantum technologies. Here, we demonstrate arbitrary single-qubit holonomic gates from a single cycle of nonadiabatic evolution, eliminating the need to concatenate two separate cycles. Our method varies the amplitude, phase, and detuning of a two-tone optical field to control the non-Abelian geometric phase acquired by a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond over a coherent excitation cycle. We demonstrate the enhanced robustness of detuned gates to excited-state decoherence and provide insights for optimizing fast holonomic control in dissipative quantum systems.

Transfer of Phase Information between Microwave and Optical Fields via an Electron Spin

We demonstrate the coherent coupling and the resulting transfer of phase information between microwave and optical fields in a single nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. The relative phase of two microwave fields is encoded in a coherent superposition spin state. This phase information is then retrieved with a pair of optical fields. A related process is also used for the transfer of phase information from optical to microwave fields. These studies show the essential role of dark states, including optical pumping into the dark states, in the coherent microwave-optical coupling and open the door to the full quantum state transfer between microwave and optical fields in a solid-state spin ensemble.

Dissipation-assisted spin squeezing of nitrogen-vacancy centers coupled to a rectangular hollow metallic waveguide

Spin squeezing has received much attention due to the interesting physics and important applications such as quantum metrology and quantum information processing. We here present a scheme to engineer stable spin squeezing in an array of nitrogen vacancy centers (NVCs) coupled to a rectangular hollow metallic waveguide. The remarkable feature of the waveguide as the common environment media is that one can switch on/off either the waveguide induced dipole-dipole interactions or correlated spontaneous emissions among the NVCs by designing their spatial separation. It permits us to achieve a dissipative Dicke model after the dipole-dipole interactions vanish due to destructive interference. With the external driving lasers on each NVC, a second-order phase transition is triggered, separating the steady state into two phases with and without collective spin squeezing. Supplying a physical realization of the dissipative Dicke model, our study gives a bridge between the generation of the stable spin squeezing and the phase transition physics.

Vertical-Substrate MPCVD Epitaxial Nanodiamond Growth

Color center-containing nanodiamonds have many applications in quantum technologies and biology. Diamondoids, molecular-sized diamonds have been used as seeds in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth. However, optimizing growth conditions to produce high crystal quality nanodiamonds with color centers requires varying growth conditions that often leads to ad-hoc and time-consuming, one-at-a-time testing of reaction conditions. In order to rapidly explore parameter space, we developed a microwave plasma CVD technique using a vertical, rather than horizontally oriented stage-substrate geometry. With this configuration, temperature, plasma density, and atomic hydrogen density vary continuously along the vertical axis of the substrate. This variation allowed rapid identification of growth parameters that yield single crystal diamonds down to 10 nm in size and 75 nm diameter optically active center silicon-vacancy (Si-V) nanoparticles. Furthermore, this method may provide a means of incorporating a wide variety of dopants in nanodiamonds without ion irradiation damage.

Single-spin magnetic resonance in the nitrogen-vacancy center of diamond

Magnetic resonance of single spins has flourished mostly because of the unique properties of the NV center in diamond. This review covers the basic physics of this defect center, introduces the techniques for working with single spins and gives an overview of some applications like quantum information and sensing.

Ramsey Interference with Single Photons

Interferometry using discrete energy levels of nuclear, atomic, or molecular systems is the foundation for a wide range of physical phenomena and enables powerful techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, Ramsey-based spectroscopy, and laser or maser technology. It also plays a unique role in quantum information processing as qubits may be implemented as energy superposition states of simple quantum systems. Here, we demonstrate quantum interference involving energy states of single quanta of light. In full analogy to the energy levels of atoms or nuclear spins, we implement a Ramsey interferometer with single photons. We experimentally generate energy superposition states of a single photon and manipulate them with unitary transformations to realize arbitrary projective measurements. Our approach opens the path for frequency-encoded photonic qubits in quantum information processing and quantum communication.

Generation of macroscopic Schrödinger cat state in diamond mechanical resonator

We propose a scheme to generate macroscopic Schrödinger cat state (SCS) in diamond mechanical resonator (DMR) via the dynamical strain-mediated coupling mechanism. In our model, the direct coupling between the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center and lattice strain field enables coherent spin–phonon interactions in the quantum regime. Based on a cyclic Δ-type transition structure of the NV center constructed by combining the quantized mechanical strain field and a pair of external microwave fields, the populations of the different energy levels can be selectively transferred by controlling microwave fields, and the SCS can be created by adjusting the controllable parameters of the system. Furthermore, we demonstrate the nonclassicality of the mechanical SCS both in non-dissipative case and dissipative case. The experimental feasibility and challenge are justified using currently available technology.

Quantitative nanoscale vortex imaging using a cryogenic quantum magnetometer

Microscopic studies of superconductors and their vortices play a pivotal role in understanding the mechanisms underlying superconductivity. Local measurements of penetration depths or magnetic stray fields enable access to fundamental aspects such as nanoscale variations in superfluid densities or the order parameter symmetry of superconductors. However, experimental tools that offer quantitative, nanoscale magnetometry and operate over large ranges of temperature and magnetic fields are still lacking. Here, we demonstrate the first operation of a cryogenic scanning quantum sensor in the form of a single nitrogen-vacancy electronic spin in diamond, which is capable of overcoming these existing limitations. To demonstrate the power of our approach, we perform quantitative, nanoscale magnetic imaging of Pearl vortices in the cuprate superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-δ. With a sensor-to-sample distance of ∼10 nm, we observe striking deviations from the prevalent monopole approximation in our vortex stray-field images, and find excellent quantitative agreement with Pearl's analytic model. Our experiments provide a non-invasive and unambiguous determination of the system's local penetration depth and are readily extended to higher temperatures and magnetic fields. These results demonstrate the potential of quantitative quantum sensors in benchmarking microscopic models of complex electronic systems and open the door for further exploration of strongly correlated electron physics using scanning nitrogen-vacancy magnetometry.

Optomechanical Quantum Control of a Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in Diamond

We demonstrate optomechanical quantum control of the internal electronic states of a diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in the resolved-sideband regime by coupling the NV to both optical fields and surface acoustic waves via a phonon-assisted optical transition and by taking advantage of the strong excited-state electron-phonon coupling of a NV center. Optomechanically driven Rabi oscillations as well as quantum interferences between the optomechanical sideband and the direct dipole-optical transitions are realized. These studies open the door to using resolved-sideband optomechanical coupling for quantum control of both the atomlike internal states and the motional states of a coupled NV-nanomechanical system, leading to the development of a solid-state analog of trapped ions.

Coherent Population Trapping of a Single Nuclear Spin Under Ambient Conditions

We demonstrate coherent population trapping of a single nuclear spin in a room-temperature solid. To this end, we exploit a three-level system with a Λ configuration in the microwave domain, which consists of nuclear spin states addressed through their hyperfine coupling to the electron spin of a single nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond. Moreover, the Λ-scheme relaxation is externally controlled through incoherent optical pumping and separated in time from consecutive coherent microwave excitations. Such a scheme allows us (i) to monitor the sequential accumulation of population into the dark state and (ii) to reach a novel regime of coherent population trapping dynamics for which periodic arrays of dark resonances can be observed, owing to multiple constructive interferences. This Letter offers new prospects for quantum state preparation, information storage in hybrid quantum systems, and metrology.

All-Optical Preparation of Coherent Dark States of a Single Rare Earth Ion Spin in a Crystal

All-optical addressing and coherent control of single solid-state based quantum bits is a key tool for fast and precise control of ground-state spin qubits. So far, all-optical addressing of qubits was demonstrated only in a very few systems, such as color centers and quantum dots. Here, we perform high-resolution spectroscopic of native and implanted single rare earth ions in solid, namely, a cerium ion in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal. We find narrow and spectrally stable optical transitions between the spin sublevels of the ground and excited optical states. Utilizing these transitions we demonstrate the generation of a coherent dark state in electron spin sublevels of a single Ce^{3+} ion in YAG by coherent population trapping.

All-optical coherent population trapping with defect spin ensembles in silicon carbide

Divacancy defects in silicon carbide have long-lived electronic spin states and sharp optical transitions. Because of the various polytypes of SiC, hundreds of unique divacancies exist, many with spin properties comparable to the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. If ensembles of such spins can be all-optically manipulated, they make compelling candidate systems for quantum-enhanced memory, communication, and sensing applications. We report here direct all-optical addressing of basal plane-oriented divacancy spins in 4H-SiC. By means of magneto-spectroscopy, we fully identify the spin triplet structure of both the ground and the excited state, and use this for tuning of transition dipole moments between particular spin levels. We also identify a role for relaxation via intersystem crossing. Building on these results, we demonstrate coherent population trapping -a key effect for quantum state transfer between spins and photons- for divacancy sub-ensembles along particular crystal axes. These results, combined with the flexibility of SiC polytypes and device processing, put SiC at the forefront of quantum information science in the solid state.

Designing quantum dots for solotronics

Solotronics, optoelectronics based on solitary dopants, is an emerging field of research and technology reaching the ultimate limit of miniaturization. It aims at exploiting quantum properties of individual ions or defects embedded in a semiconductor matrix. It has already been shown that optical control of a magnetic ion spin is feasible using the carriers confined in a quantum dot. However, a serious obstacle was the quenching of the exciton luminescence by magnetic impurities. Here we show, by photoluminescence studies on thus-far-unexplored individual CdTe dots with a single cobalt ion and CdSe dots with a single manganese ion, that even if energetically allowed, nonradiative exciton recombination through single-magnetic-ion intra-ionic transitions is negligible in such zero-dimensional structures. This opens solotronics for a wide range of as yet unconsidered systems. On the basis of results of our single-spin relaxation experiments and on the material trends, we identify optimal magnetic-ion quantum dot systems for implementation of a single-ion-based spin memory.

Single-atom dopants embedded in a semiconductor matrix are of potential use for optical, spintronics as well as information storage applications. Here, Kobak et al. realize CdTe and CdSe quantum dots with single cobalt and manganese ions and show how the quantum dot design influences single-spin relaxation time.

Optical signatures of silicon-vacancy spins in diamond

Colour centres in diamond have emerged as versatile tools for solid-state quantum technologies ranging from quantum information to metrology, where the nitrogen-vacancy centre is the most studied to date. Recently, this toolbox has expanded to include novel colour centres to realize more efficient spin-photon quantum interfaces. Of these, the silicon-vacancy centre stands out with highly desirable photonic properties. The challenge for utilizing this centre is to realize the hitherto elusive optical access to its electronic spin. Here we report spin-tagged resonance fluorescence from the negatively charged silicon-vacancy centre. Our measurements reveal a spin-state purity approaching unity in the excited state, highlighting the potential of the centre as an efficient spin-photon quantum interface.

Entangled absorption of a single photon with a single spin in diamond

Quantum entanglement, a key resource for quantum information science, is inherent in a solid. It has been recently shown that entanglement between a single optical photon and a single spin qubit in a solid is generated via spontaneous emission. However, entanglement generation by measurement is rather essential for quantum operations. We here show that the physics behind the entangled emission can be time reversed to demonstrate entangled absorption mediated by an inherent spin-orbit entanglement in a single nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. Optical arbitrary spin state preparation and complete spin state tomography reveal the fidelity of the entangled absorption to be 95%. With the entangled emission and absorption of a photon, materials can be spontaneously entangled or swap their quantum state based on the quantum teleportation scheme.

All-optical formation of coherent dark states of silicon-vacancy spins in diamond

Spin impurities in diamond can be versatile tools for a wide range of solid-state-based quantum technologies, but finding spin impurities that offer sufficient quality in both photonic and spin properties remains a challenge for this pursuit. The silicon-vacancy center has recently attracted much interest because of its spin-accessible optical transitions and the quality of its optical spectrum. Complementing these properties, spin coherence is essential for the suitability of this center as a spin-photon quantum interface. Here, we report all-optical generation of coherent superpositions of spin states in the ground state of a negatively charged silicon-vacancy center using coherent population trapping. Our measurements reveal a characteristic spin coherence time, T2*, exceeding 45 nanoseconds at 4 K. We further investigate the role of phonon-mediated coupling between orbital states as a source of irreversible decoherence. Our results indicate the feasibility of all-optical coherent control of silicon-vacancy spins using ultrafast laser pulses.

Protecting a solid-state spin from decoherence using dressed spin states

We report experimental studies of dressing an electron spin in diamond with resonant and continuous microwave fields to protect the electron spin from magnetic fluctuations induced by the nuclear spin bath. We use optical coherent population trapping (CPT) to probe the energy level structure, optically induced spin transitions, and spin decoherence rates of the dressed spin states. Dressing an electron spin with resonant microwaves at a coupling rate near 1 MHz leads to a 50 times reduction in the linewidth of the spin transition underlying the CPT process, limited by transit-time broadening. Compared with dynamical decoupling, where effects of the bath are averaged out at specific times, the dressed spin state provides a continuous protection from decoherence.

Ultrafast optical control of orbital and spin dynamics in a solid-state defect

Atom-scale defects in semiconductors are promising building blocks for quantum devices, but our understanding of their material-dependent electronic structure, optical interactions, and dissipation mechanisms is lacking. Using picosecond resonant pulses of light, we study the coherent orbital and spin dynamics of a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond over time scales spanning six orders of magnitude. We develop a time-domain quantum tomography technique to precisely map the defect's excited-state Hamiltonian and exploit the excited-state dynamics to control its ground-state spin with optical pulses alone. These techniques generalize to other optically addressable nanoscale spin systems and serve as powerful tools to characterize and control spin qubits for future applications in quantum technology.

Optically driven Rabi oscillations and adiabatic passage of single electron spins in diamond

Rabi oscillations and adiabatic passage of single electron spins in a diamond nitrogen vacancy center are demonstrated with two Raman-resonant optical pulses that are detuned from the respective dipole optical transitions. We show that the optical spin control is nuclear-spin selective and can be robust against rapid decoherence, including radiative decay and spectral diffusion, of the underlying optical transitions. A direct comparison between the Rabi oscillation and the adiabatic passage, along with a detailed theoretical analysis, provides significant physical insights into the connections and differences between these coherent spin processes and also elucidates the role of spectral diffusion in these processes. The optically driven coherent spin processes enable the use of nitrogen vacancy excited states to mediate coherent spin-phonon coupling, opening the door to combining optical control of both spin and mechanical degrees of freedom.

Mechanical spin control of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

We demonstrate direct coupling between phonons and diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center spins by driving spin transitions with mechanically generated harmonic strain at room temperature. The amplitude of the mechanically driven spin signal varies with the spatial periodicity of the stress standing wave within the diamond substrate, verifying that we drive NV center spins mechanically. These spin-phonon interactions could offer a route to quantum spin control of magnetically forbidden transitions, which would enhance NV-based quantum metrology, grant access to direct transitions between all of the spin-1 quantum states of the NV center, and provide a platform to study spin-phonon interactions at the level of a few interacting spins.