Optical Polarization of $^{13}$C Nuclei in Diamond through Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the optical polarization of $^{13}$C nuclei in diamond via NV- centers, achieving up to 5.2% polarization, with implications for quantum control and enhanced NMR techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a method to polarize bulk $^{13}$C nuclei in diamond through NV- centers and analyzes the polarization dynamics and mechanisms involved.

Findings

Achieved up to 5.2% bulk $^{13}$C polarization.

Polarization occurs within 5 minutes, independent of temperature.

Dipolar field fluctuations induce nuclear spin transitions.

Abstract

We determine the polarization of the bulk $^{13}$C nuclear spin system in diamond produced by interaction with optically oriented nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) defect centers. $^{13}$C nuclei are polarized into the higher energy Zeeman state with a bulk-average polarization up to 5.2%, although local polarization may be higher. The kinetics of polarization are temperature independent, and occur within 5 minutes. Fluctuations in the dipolar field of the NV- center spin bath are identified as the mechanism by which nuclear spin transitions are induced near defect centers. Polarization is then transported to the bulk material via spin diffusion, which accounts for the observed kinetics of polarization. These results indicate control over the nuclear spin bath, a methodology to study dynamics of an NV- center ensemble, and application to sensitivity-enhanced NMR.