Measurable quantum geometric phase from a rotating single spin

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a single nitrogen-vacancy center in a rotating diamond can acquire a measurable quantum geometric phase, enabling new insights into quantum systems under macroscopic rotation.

Contribution

It introduces the first measurement of a geometric phase in a single atom-scale quantum system caused by macroscopic rotation.

Findings

Phase shift of up to four radians could be measured.

First observation of geometric phase due to rotation in a single quantum system.

Potential for new quantum sensing applications.

Abstract

We demonstrate that the internal magnetic states of a single nitrogen-vacancy defect, within a rotating diamond crystal, acquire geometric phases. The geometric phase shift is manifest as a relative phase between components of a superposition of magnetic substates. We demonstrate that under reasonable experimental conditions a phase shift of up to four radians could be measured. Such a measurement of the accumulation of a geometric phase, due to macroscopic rotation, would be the first for a single atom-scale quantum system.