NV^- diamond laser

Area of Science:

• Quantum Optics
• Materials Science
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are promising for quantum applications.
• Optical pumping is a key technique for manipulating NV centers.
• Achieving lasing in solid-state systems requires specific conditions and understanding of gain dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate lasing from NV^- centers in an optically pumped diamond sample.
• To investigate the lasing characteristics, including wavelength, spectrum, duration, and energy.
• To analyze lasing conditions and gain saturation mechanisms under high-power laser excitation.

Main Methods:

• Optical pumping of a diamond sample using a nanosecond train of 150-ps 532-nm laser pulses.
• Characterization of lasing pulses (wavelength, spectrum width, duration, energy).
• Utilizing a pump-probe scheme to study lasing dynamics and gain saturation.

Main Results:

• First demonstration of lasing at NV^- centers in an optically pumped diamond.
• Lasing pulses centered at 720 nm with a 20 nm spectrum width and 1-ns duration.
• Observed gain saturation attributed to NV^- ionization and NV⁰ concentration increase.

Conclusions:

• Optically pumped diamond with NV^- centers can achieve lasing.
• High-power pumping leads to gain saturation due to ionization and charge state changes.
• This work opens avenues for diamond-based laser development and quantum technologies.