A highly efficient two level diamond based single photon source

TL;DR

This paper reports a new diamond defect center that emits stable single photons at room temperature with high efficiency, representing a significant advancement in diamond-based quantum photonics.

Contribution

The discovery of a novel diamond defect center that acts as a true two-level single quantum system emitting stable photons at room temperature.

Findings

Emits single photons at 1.6 MHz rate at room temperature

Features a sharp zero phonon line at 734 nm with ~4 nm FWHM

Confirmed as a single emitter through photon statistics

Abstract

An unexplored diamond defect centre which is found to emit stable single photons at a measured rate of 1.6 MHz at room temperature is reported. The novel centre, identified in chemical vapour deposition grown diamond crystals, exhibits a sharp zero phonon line at 734 nm with a full width at half maximum of ~ 4 nm. The photon statistics confirm the center is a single emitter and provides direct evidence of the first true two-level single quantum system in diamond.