Ernst S, Scheidegger PJ, Diesch S, Lorenzelli L, Degen CL. Temperature Dependence of Photoluminescence Intensity and Spin Contrast in Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023;
131:086903. [PMID:
37683157 DOI:
10.1103/physrevlett.131.086903]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
We report on measurements of the photoluminescence properties of single nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond at temperatures between 4 K and 300 K. We observe a strong reduction of the PL intensity and spin contrast between ca. 10 K and 100 K that recovers to high levels below and above. Further, we find a rich dependence on magnetic bias field and crystal strain. We develop a comprehensive model based on spin mixing and orbital hopping in the electronic excited state that quantitatively explains the observations. Beyond a more complete understanding of the excited-state dynamics, our work provides a novel approach for probing electron-phonon interactions and a predictive tool for optimizing experimental conditions for quantum applications.
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