Ultra-long coherence times amongst room-temperature solid-state spins.

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Materials science
• Solid-state systems

Background:

• Solid-state single spins are crucial for quantum technologies but face coherence time limitations.
• Spin-bath decoherence is reduced by isotopic enrichment, yet environmental interactions remain a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate spin-coherence times in impurity-doped n-type single-crystal diamond.
• To demonstrate the potential of such systems for advanced quantum applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized impurity-doped (phosphorus) n-type single-crystal diamond.
• Measured spin-coherence times, including inhomogeneous spin-dephasing time and Hahn-echo spin-coherence time (T2).

Main Results:

• Observed the longest inhomogeneous spin-dephasing time and Hahn-echo spin-coherence time (T2 ≈ 2.4 ms) in room-temperature solid-state systems.
• Achieved unprecedented sensitivities due to extended coherence times.

Conclusions:

• Phosphorus-doped n-type diamond enables remarkably long spin-coherence times, contrary to prior expectations.
• Extended coherence times in diamond semiconductors open new avenues for quantum technology.