Proposal for observing dynamic Jahn–Teller effect by single solid-state defects
At a Glance
Section titled “At a Glance”| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2016-10-17 |
| Journal | New Journal of Physics |
| Authors | Xing Xiao, Nan Zhao |
| Institutions | Gannan Normal University, University of Science and Technology of China |
| Citations | 5 |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
Technical Analysis and Documentation: Dynamic Jahn-Teller Effect Sensing in Diamond
Section titled “Technical Analysis and Documentation: Dynamic Jahn-Teller Effect Sensing in Diamond”This documentation analyzes the key technical requirements of the research paper “Proposal for observing dynamic Jahn-Teller effect by single solid-state defects” and maps them directly to the specialized capabilities of 6CCVD’s Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (MPCVD) diamond products.
Executive Summary
Section titled “Executive Summary”The research proposes a novel method for observing the dynamic Jahn-Teller Effect (JTE) in single P1 centers (substitutional nitrogen defects) within diamond, utilizing the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center as an atomic-scale quantum sensor.
- Core Achievement: Simulation demonstrates real-time monitoring of P1 center JTE axis jumps, a phenomenon previously inferred only from ensemble averages.
- Methodology: The Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER) technique is employed to measure the spin coherence of a single NV center, which is coupled magnetically to the nearest P1 center.
- Material Necessity: Success requires ultra-high purity diamond substrates (Type IIa) with precise, controlled concentration and location of $P1$ and $NV$ defects.
- Fidelity Enhancement: Readout fidelity is significantly improved (up to $99.5%$) by utilizing ${}^{15}\text{N}$ P1 centers, necessitating highly enriched diamond material or specific ion implantation readiness.
- Applications: This work extends NV center sensing capabilities to complex electron-vibrational systems and has direct application in high-spatial resolution local temperature sensing (e.g., biological systems).
- 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD provides the necessary low-strain, high-purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) substrates, custom dimensions, and metalization capabilities required to fabricate these sophisticated quantum sensing platforms.
Technical Specifications
Section titled “Technical Specifications”The following table extracts critical hard data points and physical parameters required or achieved in the proposed experimental setup.
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| NV Center Zero Field Splitting (D) | 2.87 | GHz | Resonant frequency of the NV center |
| Applied Magnetic Field (B) | > 200 | Gauss | Used to align spins along the NV axis ($z$-axis) |
| Typical P1 Center Concentration (c) | 20 | ppm | Concentration used in decoherence simulations |
| Observed Electron Spin Coherence Time ($T_{2}$) | 3.5 | µs | Typical coherence time in similar diamond samples |
| DEER Sequence Duration ($T_{\text{DEER}}$) | ≈ 5 | µs | Total time for single coherence measurement |
| Minimum Measurement Period ($T_{\text{M}}$) | 0.5 | s | Total time required for $M = 10^{5}$ repetitions |
| JTE Potential Barrier Height (V) | 0.76 | eV | Activation energy for P1 reorientation |
| Orientation Relaxation Time ($T_{\nu}$) | 100 | s | Corresponds to temperature $T = 262 \text{ K}$ |
| High Fidelity Readout | 99.5 | % | Achieved using $P1$ centers with ${}^{15}\text{N}$ nuclear spin |
| Surface Roughness ($R_a$) Requirement | Must be Ultra-Low | nm | Essential to minimize charge trap noise and maintain long $T_{2}$ |
Key Methodologies
Section titled “Key Methodologies”The experimental proposal relies on highly controlled material preparation and precise microwave sequencing.
- Diamond Platform: Utilizes Type-Ib diamond containing P1 centers, or high-purity Type IIa diamond subsequently implanted with Nitrogen to create P1 and NV defects.
- Magnetic Alignment: A strong magnetic field is oriented along the NV center’s [111] axis to define the spin quantization axis and maximize dipolar coupling.
- Spin Dynamics Control: The experiment hinges on the fact that JTE distortion modifies the magnetic resonance frequency of the P1 centers, allowing selective manipulation.
- DEER Sequence: A specialized sequence of optical (laser) and microwave ($\pi$ and $\pi/2$) pulses is applied to coherently control and couple the NV and P1 electron spins.
- Frequency Selection: Frequency-selective microwave pulses are used to divide P1 centers into resonant ($G_{\text{res}}$) and off-resonant ($G_{\text{off}}$) groups based on their specific orientation and ${}^{14}\text{N}$ nuclear spin state (determined by hyperfine coupling $A$).
- Single-Shot Readout: The JTE jump is monitored in real-time by repetitively measuring the dramatic shift in NV center spin coherence (LDEER) when the nearest P1 center flips its orientation axis, thereby changing its group membership ($G_{\text{res}}$ to $G_{\text{off}}$ or vice versa).
- Isotopic Engineering: Simulation shows that artificial enrichment with ${}^{15}\text{N}$ (Nuclear spin $I = 1/2$) is critical to lift transition frequency degeneracy, allowing unambiguous resonant driving and achieving full readout contrast ($30%$).
6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities
Section titled “6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities”This research demanding ultra-precise defect control and high-quality materials is perfectly aligned with 6CCVD’s expertise in custom MPCVD diamond growth and fabrication. We offer tailored solutions to meet the exacting specifications of quantum sensing and material physics experiments.
| Research Requirement/Application | 6CCVD Solution & Capability | Advantage for Client |
|---|---|---|
| High Purity Host Material | Optical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD): Custom SCD plates, thicknesses ranging from $0.1 \text{ µm}$ to $500 \text{ µm}$. Ultra-low background nitrogen required for post-growth implantation. | Provides the foundational, low-strain material necessary to achieve and sustain long NV center coherence times ($T_{2} \approx 3.5 \text{ µs}$). |
| Defect Control and Enrichment | Implantation-Ready Diamond: Ultra-pure SCD optimized for subsequent ion implantation of specific isotopes (e.g., ${}^{15}\text{N}$) to create P1 and NV centers with tailored depth and concentration profiles ($c = 20 \text{ ppm}$). | Enables the critical step of using ${}^{15}\text{N}$ P1 centers to lift spectral degeneracy and achieve the simulated maximum single-shot readout fidelity ($> 99%$). |
| Surface Quality (Charge Trap Minimization) | Advanced Polishing Services: 6CCVD achieves surface roughness $R_a < 1 \text{ nm}$ on SCD wafers. | Minimizes surface-related charge trap noise (which can cause unwanted “darker” peaks in PL statistics) essential for clear, high-contrast single-shot readout of the JTE jump. |
| Integration of Microwave/Magnetic Circuits | Custom Metalization: Internal capability to deposit thin films of Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, and Cu onto diamond surfaces. | Facilitates the integration of high-frequency microwave transmission lines necessary to deliver the DEER sequence pulses to the NV/P1 centers with high efficiency. |
| Custom Dimensions and Thickness | Precision Manufacturing: Plates and wafers up to $125 \text{ mm}$ (PCD). Substrates up to $10 \text{ mm}$ thick. | Supports scaling and complex device fabrication, ensuring materials meet unique spatial and thermal requirements for high-power magnetometry setups. |
| Accelerating Complex Quantum Projects | In-House PhD Engineering Support: Our team assists researchers in selecting the appropriate MPCVD recipe (SCD vs. PCD, specific doping level, surface preparation) for similar JTE and electron-vibrational coupled systems. | Ensures the material precisely matches the demanding requirements of quantum sensing applications, reducing experimental development time. |
For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.
View Original Abstract
The Jahn-Teller effect (JTE) widely exists in polyatomic systems including organic molecules, nano-magnets, and solid-state defects. Detecting the JTE at single-molecule level can provide unique properties about the detected individual object. However, such measurements are challenging because of the weak signals associated with a single quantum object. Here, we propose that the dynamic JTE of single defects in solids can be observed with nearby quantum sensors. With numerical simulations, we demonstrate the real-time monitoring of JT axis jumps between different stable configurations of single substitutional nitrogen defect centers (P1 centers) in diamond. This is achieved by measuring the spin coherence of a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center near the P1 center with the double electron-electron resonance technique. Our work extends the ability of NV center as a quantum probe to sense the rich physics in various electron-vibrational coupled systems.