Longitudinal spin-relaxation in nitrogen-vacancy centers in electron irradiated diamond

TL;DR

This study systematically measures the longitudinal relaxation rates of NV$^-$ centers in irradiated diamond, revealing how relaxation depends on concentration and magnetic field, which is crucial for quantum sensing applications.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on $1/T_1$ relaxation rates in NV$^-$ centers as a function of concentration and magnetic field, using electron irradiation to control NV$^-$ density.

Findings

$1/T_1$ varies with NV$^-$ concentration and magnetic field.

Irradiation dose controls NV$^-$ center density.

Data informs optimization of NV$^-$ centers for quantum sensing.

Abstract

We present systematic measurements of longitudinal relaxation rates ($1/T_1$) of spin polarization in the ground state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV$^-$) color center in synthetic diamond as a function of NV$^-$ concentration and magnetic field $B$. NV$^-$ centers were created by irradiating a Type 1b single-crystal diamond along the [100] axis with 200 keV electrons from a transmission electron microscope with varying doses to achieve spots of different NV$^-$ center concentrations. Values of ($1/T_1$) were measured for each spot as a function of $B$.