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Ultrafast optical control of orbital and spin dynamics in a solid-state defect
Lee C Bassett1, F Joseph Heremans2, David J Christle2
1Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 16, 2014
Summary
Researchers mapped the dynamics of atom-scale defects in diamond using light pulses. This allows for precise control of quantum properties in spin qubits for quantum technology applications.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Atom-scale defects in semiconductors are key for quantum devices.
- Understanding their electronic structure and optical properties is crucial but limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coherent spin and orbital dynamics of a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond.
- To develop methods for controlling spin qubits using optical pulses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized picosecond resonant light pulses to study defect dynamics.
- Developed a time-domain quantum tomography technique.
- Mapped the excited-state Hamiltonian of the defect.
Main Results:
- Achieved precise mapping of the defect's excited-state Hamiltonian.
- Demonstrated control over the ground-state spin using only optical pulses.
- Observed coherent dynamics over six orders of magnitude in time scales.
Conclusions:
- Developed advanced techniques for characterizing and controlling spin qubits.
- These methods are applicable to various optically addressable nanoscale spin systems.
- Paved the way for enhanced quantum technology applications.
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