Spin coherence lifetime extension in Tm$^{3+}$:YAG through dynamical decoupling

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a significant extension of spin coherence lifetime in Tm$^{3+}$:YAG using dynamical decoupling sequences, achieving a 450-fold increase to approximately 230 ms, with insights into environmental fluctuation timescales.

Contribution

The study introduces an effective dynamical decoupling method and a novel strategy inspired by the zero-first-order Zeeman effect to enhance spin coherence in Tm$^{3+}$:YAG.

Findings

Achieved a 450-fold increase in coherence lifetime to ~230 ms.

Estimated fluctuation correlation time of ground state transition to 172 μs.

Developed a decoupling strategy minimizing inhomogeneous broadening.

Abstract

We report on spin coherence lifetime extension on Tm$^{3+}$:YAG obtained through dynamically decoupling the thulium spins from their magnetic environment. The coherence lifetime reached with a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence revealed a 450-fold extension [$\sim$$(230 \pm 30)$ ms] with respect to previously measured values. Comparison to a simple theoretical model allowed us to estimate the correlation time of the fluctuations of the ground level transition frequency to $(172 \pm 30)$ $\mu$s at 1.7 K. For attaining efficient decoupling sequences, we developed a strategy inspired by the \emph{zero-first-order Zeeman} effect to minimize the large inhomogeneous broadening of the ground level spin transition.