Phonon-induced population dynamics and intersystem crossing in nitrogen-vacancy centers
Date
2015
Authors
Goldman, M L
Sipahigil, Alp
Doherty, Marcus
Yao, N Y
Bennett, S D
Markham, M.
Twitchen, D J
Manson, Neil
Kubanek, A
Lukin, Mikhail D
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Physical Society
Abstract
We report direct measurement of population dynamics in the excited state manifold of a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. We quantify the phonon-induced mixing rate and demonstrate that it can be completely suppressed at low temperatures. Further, we measure the intersystem crossing (ISC) rate for different excited states and develop a theoretical model that unifies the phonon-induced mixing and ISC mechanisms. We find that our model is in excellent agreement with experiment and that it can be used to predict unknown elements of the NV center's electronic structure. We discuss the model's implications for enhancing the NV center's performance as a room-temperature sensor.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Electronic structure; Mixing; Nitrogen; Phonons; Population dynamics; Direct measurement; Inter-system crossings; Intersystem crossing; Low temperatures; Mixing rates; Nitrogen vacancies; Nitrogen-vacancy center; Theoretical modeling; Excited states
Citation
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Source
Physical Review Letters
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
Open Access