Magnetic pseudo-fields in a rotating electron-nuclear spin system

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the detection of magnetic pseudo-fields in a rotating quantum system using NV centers in diamond, revealing new methods for quantum control and potential applications in rotation sensing.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach to observe pseudo-fields in a rotating quantum system with NV centers, advancing quantum sensing and control techniques.

Findings

Detection of pseudo-fields via quantum sensors in a rotating frame

Rotation affects nuclear spins differently than magnetic fields

Potential for developing quantum spin gyroscopes

Abstract

A precessing spin observed in a rotating frame of reference appears frequency-shifted, an effect analogous to the precession of a Foucault pendulum observed on the rotating Earth. This frequency shift can be understood as arising from a magnetic pseudo-field in the rotating frame that nevertheless has physically significant consequences, such as the Barnett effect. Detecting these pseudo-fields is experimentally challenging, as a rotating-frame sensor is required. Previous work has realised classical rotating-frame detectors. Here we use quantum sensors, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres, in a rapidly rotating diamond to detect pseudo-fields in the rotating frame. While conventional magnetic fields induce precession at a rate proportional to the gyromagnetic ratio, rotation shifts the precession of all spins equally, and thus primarily affect nearby $^{13}$C nuclear spins. We are thus able to explore these effects via quantum sensing in a rapidly rotating frame, and define a new approach to quantum control using rotationally-induced nuclear spin-selective magnetic fields. This work provides an integral step towards realising precision rotation sensing and quantum spin gyroscopes.