Optical and microwave control of germanium-vacancy center spins in diamond

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a stable, optically controllable germanium-vacancy center in diamond with promising properties for quantum information processing, including optical stability, spin control, and coherence measurements.

Contribution

It provides detailed optical and spin control of GeV centers in diamond, highlighting their potential for integrated quantum technologies.

Findings

Optical spectral stability of GeV centers.

Spin relaxation time exceeds 20 microseconds.

Coherent superposition states with 19 ns dephasing time.

Abstract

A solid-state system combining a stable spin degree of freedom with an efficient optical interface is highly desirable as an element for integrated quantum optical and quantum information systems. We demonstrate a bright color center in diamond with excellent optical properties and controllable electronic spin states. Specifically, we carry out detailed optical spectroscopy of a Germanium Vacancy (GeV) color center demonstrating optical spectral stability. Using an external magnetic field to lift the electronic spin degeneracy, we explore the spin degree of freedom as a controllable qubit. Spin polarization is achieved using optical pumping, and a spin relaxation time in excess of 20 $\mu$s is demonstrated. Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) is observed in the presence of a resonant microwave field. ODMR is used as a probe to measure the Autler-Townes effect in a microwave-optical double resonance experiment. Superposition spin states were prepared using coherent population trapping, and a pure dephasing time of about 19 ns was observed. Prospects for realizing coherent quantum registers based on optically controlled GeV centers are discussed.