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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

All-electronic Nanosecond-resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Facilitating the Investigation of Single Dopant Charge Dynamics
Published on: January 19, 2018
Gigahertz dynamics of a strongly driven single quantum spin
G D Fuchs1, V V Dobrovitski, D M Toyli
1Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Researchers explored strong-driving dynamics in two-level systems using a nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. They observed sub-nanosecond spin rotation, revealing new quantum control opportunities beyond conventional approximations.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Solid-state spin systems
Background:
- Two-level systems are fundamental in technologies like MRI and atomic clocks.
- Coherent control typically uses oscillating fields with linear rate scaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the "strong-driving" regime where linear scaling breaks down.
- Measure room-temperature dynamics of a single nitrogen vacancy center in diamond.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an oscillating field to drive system dynamics.
- Employed adiabatic passage for calibrating spin rotation.
- Measured dynamics at the single-spin level.
Main Results:
- Observed complex dynamics in the strong-driving regime.
- Measured spin dynamics on sub-nanosecond timescales.
- Demonstrated breakdown of the rotating wave approximation.
Conclusions:
- Strong-driving dynamics offer new possibilities for quantum control.
- Sub-nanosecond spin manipulation is achievable.
- Challenges conventional understanding of quantum system control.
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