The non-vanishing effect of detuning errors in dynamical decoupling based quantum sensing experiments

TL;DR

This paper reveals that detuning errors in dynamical decoupling significantly affect quantum sensing signals, especially with finite pulse durations, impacting the interpretation of coherence traces in nanoscale NMR experiments.

Contribution

It demonstrates analytically and experimentally that detuning errors cause notable effects in quantum sensing, challenging previous assumptions of their negligible impact.

Findings

Detuning causes splitting of NMR resonance in CPMG sequences.

XY8 sequences show amplitude modulation due to detuning.

Finite pulse durations amplify the effect of detuning errors.

Abstract

Characteristic dips appear in the coherence traces of a probe qubit when dynamical decoupling (DD) is applied in synchrony with the precession of target nuclear spins, forming the basis for nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The frequency of the microwave control pulses is chosen to match the qubit transition but this can be detuned from resonance by experimental errors, hyperfine coupling intrinsic to the qubit, or inhomogeneous broadening. The detuning acts as an additional static field which is generally assumed to be completely removed in Hahn echo and DD experiments. Here we demonstrate that this is not the case in the presence of finite pulse-durations, where a detuning can drastically alter the coherence response of the probe qubit, with important implications for sensing applications. Using the electronic spin associated with a nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond as a test qubit system, we analytically and experimentally study the qubit coherence response under CPMG and XY8 dynamical decoupling control schemes in the presence of finite pulse-durations and static detunings. Most striking is the splitting of the NMR resonance under CPMG, whereas under XY8 the amplitude of the NMR signal is modulated. Our work shows that the detuning error must not be neglected when extracting data from quantum sensor coherence traces.