Coherent coupling of mechanics to a single nuclear spin

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the coherent coupling of a single nuclear spin to mechanical vibrations via a silicon vacancy in diamond, enabling nuclear spins to serve as quantum memories for mechanical systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to couple nuclear spins with mechanical systems coherently, preserving nuclear spin coherence in the process.

Findings

Successful demonstration of nuclear spin-mechanics coupling

Nuclear spins retain coherence during coupling

Potential for nuclear spins as quantum memories in mechanical systems

Abstract

Nuclear spins interact weakly with their environment. In particular, they are generally insensitive to mechanical vibrations. Here, we successfully demonstrate the coherent coupling of mechanics to a single nuclear spin. This coupling is mediated by a silicon vacancy (SiV) centre in diamond, taking advantage of its large strain susceptibility and hyperfine interaction with nuclear spins. Importantly, we demonstrate that the nuclear spin retains its excellent coherence properties even in the presence of this coupling. This provides a way to leverage nuclear spins as quantum memories for mechanical systems in the quantum regime.