Single-Spin Readout and Quantum Sensing using Optomechanically Induced Transparency

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel optomechanical method for single-spin readout and quantum sensing that leverages strain coupling, achieving faster measurement times and higher sensitivity than traditional optical fluorescence techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a mechanically-mediated dispersive readout scheme using optomechanically induced transparency for solid-state spin defects.

Findings

Measurement times are an order of magnitude shorter for silicon-vacancy defects.

Scheme offers higher sensitivity than continuous position detection.

Applicable to general parameter-estimation metrology.

Abstract

Solid-state spin defects are promising quantum sensors for a large variety of sensing targets. Some of these defects couple appreciably to strain in the host material. We propose to use this strain coupling for mechanically-mediated dispersive single-shot spin readout by an optomechanically-induced transparency measurement. Surprisingly, the estimated measurement times for negatively-charged silicon-vacancy defects in diamond are an order of magnitude shorter than those for single-shot optical fluorescence readout. Our scheme can also be used for general parameter-estimation metrology and offers a higher sensitivity than conventional schemes using continuous position detection.