Decoherence of near-surface nitrogen-vacancy centers due to electric field noise

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that electric field noise from surface charge fluctuations significantly impacts the spin coherence of near-surface NV centers in diamond, and that applying high-dielectric liquids like glycerol can mitigate this decoherence.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence linking surface electric field noise to NV decoherence and shows that high-dielectric liquids improve coherence without affecting electron spin coupling.

Findings

Glycerol application increases NV spin coherence.

Surface charge fluctuations are a key decoherence source.

High-dielectric liquids reduce electric field noise effects.

Abstract

We show that electric field noise from surface charge fluctuations can be a significant source of spin decoherence for near-surface nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. This conclusion is based on the increase in spin coherence observed when the diamond surface is covered with high-dielectric-constant liquids, such as glycerol. Double resonance experiments show that improved coherence occurs even though the coupling to nearby electron spins is unchanged when the liquid is applied. Multipulse spin echo experiments reveal the effect of glycerol on the spectrum of NV frequency noise.