A telecom O-band emitter in diamond

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a new diamond color center emitting in the telecom O-band at 1221 nm, suitable for quantum communication and biological imaging, with detailed spectroscopic characterization.

Contribution

The study experimentally identifies a novel telecom O-band emitter in diamond, expanding the range of quantum emitters compatible with fiber optics and biological applications.

Findings

Zero-phonon line at 1221 nm identified

Excited state lifetime measured at 270 ps

Long-lived baseline suggests intersystem crossing

Abstract

Color centers in diamond are promising platforms for quantum technologies. Most color centers in diamond discovered thus far emit in the visible or near-infrared wavelength range, which are incompatible with long-distance fiber communication and unfavorable for imaging in biological tissues. Here, we report the experimental observation of a new color center that emits in the telecom O-band, which we observe in silicon-doped bulk single crystal diamonds and microdiamonds. Combining absorption and photoluminescence measurements, we identify a zero-phonon line at 1221 nm and phonon replicas separated by 42 meV. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, we measure an excited state lifetime of around 270 ps and observe a long-lived baseline that may arise from intersystem crossing to another spin manifold.