Quantum Imaging of Photonic Spin Texture in an OAM Beam with NV Centers in Diamond

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of NV centers in diamond as nanoscale quantum sensors to image the photonic spin texture of an OAM beam, enabling sub-wavelength characterization of light's spin angular momentum.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum imaging platform utilizing NV centers for sub-wavelength imaging of photonic spin textures in light beams.

Findings

Successful imaging of PST using NV centers at cryogenic temperatures

Imprinting of PST on NV center quantum phase demonstrated

Potential for sub-wavelength characterization of light's spin properties

Abstract

Photonic spin texture (PST), the spatial distribution of the spin angular momentum (SAM) of light, is connected to unique properties of light, such as optical skyrmions and topological optical N-invariants. There has been recent progress on the generation and manipulation of PST using various methodologies. However, a challenge remains for the sub-wavelength characterization of PST. Here, we demonstrate nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as nanoscale quantum sensors for imaging the PST of a beam with orbital angular momentum (OAM). Leveraging the coherent interaction between photon spin and NV center electron spin at cryogenic temperature (77 K), and using the Hahn-Echo magnetometry technique, we experimentally demonstrate the imprinting of the PST on the quantum phase of NV centers. Our work can lead to the development of a quantum imaging platform capable of characterization of the spin texture of light at sub-wavelength scales.