Ramsey interferences and spin echoes from electron spins inside a levitating macroscopic particle

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the preservation of electron spin coherence and high angular stability in a levitating diamond, advancing the potential for coupling NV spins to rotational modes in macroscopic particles.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of Ramsey interferences and spin echoes from electron spins inside a levitating macroscopic particle, showing coherence preservation in a Paul trap.

Findings

Spin echoes extend coherence times to over microseconds.

High angular stability of the levitating diamond is achieved.

Potential for strong coupling between NV spins and rotational modes.

Abstract

We report observations of Ramsey interferences and spin echoes from electron spins inside a levitating macroscopic particle. The experiment is realized using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers hosted in a micron-sized diamond stored in a Paul trap both under atmospheric conditions and under vacuum. Spin echoes are used to show that the Paul trap preserves the coherence time of the embedded electron spins for more than microseconds. Conversely, the NV spin is employed to demonstrate high angular stability of the diamond even under vacuum. These results are significant steps towards strong coupling of NV spins to the rotational mode of levitating diamonds.