Towards a Room-Temperature Spin-Photon Interface based on Nitrogen-Vacancy centers and Optomechanics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a room-temperature spin-photon interface using nitrogen-vacancy centers and optomechanics, aiming to enable quantum networks without cryogenic cooling by overcoming phonon-induced broadening.

Contribution

It introduces a spin-opto-mechanical transduction approach to achieve high-coherence photon emission at room temperature, advancing quantum network technology.

Findings

Calculated photon indistinguishability for the proposed interface

Identified paths for experimental realization

Demonstrated potential for cryogen-free quantum networks

Abstract

The implementation of quantum networks involving quantum memories and photonic channels without the need for cryogenics would be a major technological breakthrough. Nitrogen-vacancy centers have excellent spin properties even at room temperature, but phonon-induced broadening makes it challenging to interface these spins with photons at non-cryogenic temperatures. Inspired by recent progress in achieving ultra-high mechanical quality factors, we propose that this challenge can be overcome by spin-opto-mechanical transduction. We quantify the coherence of the interface by calculating the indistinguishability of the emitted photons and describe promising paths towards experimental implementation.