Observation of nitrogen vacancy photoluminescence from an optically levitated nanodiamond

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the first observation of nitrogen vacancy photoluminescence from an optically levitated nanodiamond in free space at atmospheric pressure, revealing charge state dynamics influenced by trapping laser power.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of NV photoluminescence from levitated nanodiamonds and explores how trap laser power affects charge states and emission rates.

Findings

Photoluminescence observed from levitated nanodiamonds at atmospheric pressure.

Photoluminescence rates decrease with increasing laser power, inconsistent with thermal quenching.

Charge state composition varies with laser modulation, showing suppression of NV0 in continuous-wave trapping.

Abstract

We present the first evidence of nitrogen vacancy (NV) photoluminescence from a nanodiamond suspended in a free-space optical dipole trap at atmospheric pressure. The photoluminescence rates are shown to decrease with increasing trap laser power, but are inconsistent with a thermal quenching process. For a continuous-wave trap, the neutral charge state (NV$^0$) appears to be suppressed. Chopping the trap laser yields higher total count rates and results in a mixture of both NV$^0$ and the negative charge state (NV$^-$).