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This research establishes photoelectrical readout as a viable method for chip-integrated quantum sensing using shallow, implanted nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. By demonstrating coherent control and Ramsey interferometry on these engineered defects, the study overcomes previous limitations regarding background photocurrents associated with surface-implanted qubits. These advances are critical for scaling up solid-state spin registers and nanoscale sensors that require precise placement within device architectures.
Photoelectrical readout and Ramsey interferometry of single shallowly implanted NV centers in diamond
arXiv:2607.15869v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Photoelectrical readout of the electronic spin state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is attracting significant interest due to the numerous advantages it possesses compared with conventional fluorescence readout. The higher charge carrier rate compared to the photon rate and the integration of the detection scheme on a chip can significantly advance quantum sensing and computing with color centers in diamond. Until now, photoelectric readout has been performed on ensembles of NV centers or single NV centers deep in ultrapure diamond substrates. However, many applications require the artificial creation and precise placement of shallow NV centers, and photoelectric detection of such centers has been challenging. Here we demonstrate photoelectrical readout and coherent control of the electronic spin of implanted shallow ($\sim$10 nm) NV centers buried by diamond overgrowth. The photoelectrically measured Ramsey $T_2^*$ agrees with conventional fluorescence readout and shows no measurable dependence on the readout photocurrent, for both shallow implanted and deep ingrown NV centers. We further find that overgrowth improves photoelectric readout by suppressing the background photocurrent. These results establish photoelectric readout as a viable route to chip-integrated, electrically detected nanoscale sensing and to spin registers based on engineered shallow NV centers.
Abstract:Photoelectrical readout of the electronic spin state of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is attracting significant interest due to the numerous advantages it possesses compared with conventional fluorescence readout. The higher charge carrier rate compared to the photon rate and the integration of the detection scheme on a chip can significantly advance quantum sensing and computing with color centers in diamond. Until now, photoelectric readout has been performed on ensembles of NV centers or single NV centers deep in ultrapure diamond substrates. However, many applications require the artificial creation and precise placement of shallow NV centers, and photoelectric detection of such centers has been challenging. Here we demonstrate photoelectrical readout and coherent control of the electronic spin of implanted shallow ($\sim$10 nm) NV centers buried by diamond overgrowth. The photoelectrically measured Ramsey $T_2^*$ agrees with conventional fluorescence readout and shows no measurable dependence on the readout photocurrent, for both shallow implanted and deep ingrown NV centers. We further find that overgrowth improves photoelectric readout by suppressing the background photocurrent. These results establish photoelectric readout as a viable route to chip-integrated, electrically detected nanoscale sensing and to spin registers based on engineered shallow NV centers.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
arXiv:2607.15869 [cond-mat.mes-hall]
(or arXiv:2607.15869v1 [cond-mat.mes-hall] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2607.15869 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 294 words
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