Efficient photon detection from color centers in a diamond optical waveguide

TL;DR

This paper introduces a side-collection technique for diamond-based photon detection that significantly improves collection efficiency, enhancing the sensitivity of NV-center magnetometry.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel side-collection method for photon detection in diamond, achieving nearly 50% collection efficiency and demonstrating improved magnetic field sensing capabilities.

Findings

Photon collection efficiency of ~47% achieved

Enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in magnetometry

Potential for sub-picotesla magnetic field sensitivity

Abstract

A common limitation of experiments using color centers in diamond is the poor photon collection efficiency of microscope objectives due to refraction at the diamond interface. We present a simple and effective technique to detect a large fraction of photons emitted by color centers within a planar diamond sample by detecting light that is guided to the edges of the diamond via total internal reflection. We describe a prototype device using this "side-collection" technique, which provides a photon collection efficiency of approximately 47% and a photon detection efficiency of approximately 39%. We apply the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio gained from side-collection to AC magnetometry using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers, and demonstrate an AC magnetic field sensitivity of 100 pT/\sqrt{Hz}, limited by added noise in the prototype side-collection device. Technical optimization should allow significant further improvements in photon collection and detection efficiency as well as sub-picotesla NV-diamond magnetic field sensitivity using the side-collection technique.