Coherent control of a single nitrogen-vacancy center spin in optically levitated nanodiamond

Robert M. Pettit, Levi P. Neukirch, Yi Zhang, and A. Nick Vamivakas

We report the first observation, to the best of our knowledge, of electron spin transients in single negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV−NV−) centers, contained within optically trapped nanodiamonds, in both atmospheric pressure and low vacuum. It is shown that, after an initial exposure to low vacuum, the trapped nanodiamonds remain at temperatures near room temperature even in low vacuum. Furthermore, the transverse coherence time of the NV−NV− center spin, measured to be 𝑇2=101.4 nsT2=101.4 ns, is robust over the range of trapping powers considered in this study.

DOI