Skip to content

Temperature drift rate for nuclear terms of the NV-center ground-state Hamiltonian

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2020-09-18
JournalPhysical review. B./Physical review. B
AuthorsVladimir V. Soshenko, Vadim Vorobyov, Stepan V. Bolshedvorskii, Olga R. Rubinas, I. S. Cojocaru
InstitutionsTexas A&M University, Russian Quantum Center
Citations17
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

This technical documentation analyzes the research on temperature drift in Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers, highlighting 6CCVD’s capability to supply the high-purity, custom diamond materials required for advanced quantum sensing applications.

  • Core Achievement: Experimental measurement of the temperature-dependent shift of the 14N nuclear spin hyperfine splitting in the NV center ground state.
  • Critical Finding for Sensors: A significant linear temperature shift of approximately 200 Hz/°C was observed for the nuclear spin transitions, which must be systematically accounted for in high-precision ensemble-based sensors (gyroscopes, magnetometers).
  • Mechanism Identified: The shift is predominantly driven by the temperature dependence of the hyperfine constant (Fermi contact term drift), contributing -188 ± 20 Hz/°C.
  • Material Requirement: The experiment utilized high-quality bulk diamond with a controlled NV concentration (approximately 1 ppm) and specific (111) crystallographic orientation.
  • Methodology: The study employed Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) using pulsed sequences (MW $\pi$ and RF pulses) and temperature calibration via the known ODMR spectral shift (~70 kHz/K).
  • Thermal Management: Significant heating (up to 60 °C) was induced by high-power 532 nm CW laser excitation (3 W), underscoring the need for robust thermal management in practical NV sensor designs.

The following hard data points were extracted from the experimental results regarding the NV center properties and temperature sensitivity:

ParameterValueUnitContext
NV Zero Field Splitting (D)2.87GHzGround state
Hyperfine Structure Constant (Q)5MHz14N nuclear spin splitting
ODMR Temperature Shift (Calibration)~70kHz/KUsed for sample temperature measurement
Total 14N Nuclear Spin Shift (∂fRF/∂T)~200Hz/°CRequired systematic correction in sensors
Hyperfine Constant Contribution (∂A||/∂T)-188 ± 20Hz/°CDominant shift mechanism
Quadrupole Moment Contribution (∂Q/∂T)-24 ± 4Hz/°CLow sensitivity term
Laser Wavelength532nmOptical pumping source
Laser Power Used3WFocused onto 0.05 mm spot
Maximum Observed Heating~60°CDue to CW laser excitation
Diamond NV Concentration~1ppmUsed in bulk sample

The experiment relied on precise control of optical, microwave (MW), and radio frequency (RF) fields applied to an ensemble of NV centers in a bulk diamond plate.

  1. Sample Preparation: Bulk diamond plate polished perpendicular to the (111) crystallographic axis, containing approximately 1 ppm of NV centers.
  2. Optical Excitation: 3 W, 532 nm CW laser radiation, modulated by an Acousto-Optic Modulator (AOM), focused onto a 0.05 mm spot.
  3. Temperature Variation: Sample temperature was varied by adjusting the duty cycle of the high-power laser, inducing heating up to 60 °C.
  4. Temperature Calibration: Sample temperature was calibrated by measuring the known spectral shift of the ODMR resonance position (~70 kHz/K).
  5. Spin Manipulation Sequence: A pulsed sequence similar to nuclear recursive polarization was used, involving:
    • Green optical pump (initialization to $m_s=0$).
    • MW $\pi$ pulse (transfer to $m_s=-1$ manifold).
    • RF pulse (mixing hyperfine levels in the $m_s=-1$ manifold).
    • Optical pulse (return population to $m_s=0$).
    • Second MW $\pi$ pulse (signal suppression via ODMR).
  6. Detection: 2D scanning of RF and MW frequencies was performed to determine the center of the ODMR transition and measure the resulting shift of the nuclear spin resonance.

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the high-specification MPCVD diamond required to replicate, optimize, and scale this research into commercial quantum sensors. Our materials ensure the high purity and precise crystallographic control necessary for stable NV ensemble performance.

The research requires high-quality Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) with controlled nitrogen incorporation and specific orientation.

6CCVD Material RecommendationSpecification & Relevance
Optical Grade SCDRequired for high-power 532 nm excitation and fluorescence collection. Ensures minimal absorption and scattering losses, reducing unwanted heating.
Custom NV ConcentrationWe provide SCD with controlled nitrogen doping (precursor to NV centers) to match or optimize the 1 ppm concentration used, balancing signal strength and coherence time.
(111) Oriented SCD PlatesThe paper explicitly used a plate polished perpendicular to the (111) axis. 6CCVD offers custom crystallographic orientations, crucial for maximizing the signal projection in specific sensor geometries (e.g., rotation sensing).
High Purity SubstratesSCD substrates up to 10 mm thick are available for robust thermal management, mitigating the 60 °C heating observed in the experiment.

Customization Potential for Advanced Sensor Integration

Section titled “Customization Potential for Advanced Sensor Integration”

To move from laboratory experiments to integrated devices, 6CCVD offers extensive customization capabilities that directly address the needs of quantum sensor development:

  • Custom Dimensions and Thickness: We supply SCD plates from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m thick, and PCD plates/wafers up to 125 mm in diameter, allowing for scaling of ensemble sensors.
  • Precision Polishing: Our SCD polishing achieves surface roughness (Ra) < 1 nm, essential for minimizing optical losses and ensuring high-fidelity optical coupling required for ODMR readout.
  • Integrated Metalization: The experiment utilized complex external copper antennas for MW and RF delivery. 6CCVD offers in-house metalization (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu) for fabricating on-chip antennas and microstrip lines directly onto the diamond surface, enabling compact, high-frequency control of the NV ensemble.
  • Laser Cutting and Shaping: Custom laser cutting services allow for precise shaping of the diamond plate to fit specific antenna or resonator geometries, optimizing field delivery (MW/RF) and thermal contact.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in material science for quantum applications. We provide expert consultation to assist researchers and engineers in selecting the optimal diamond specifications (purity, orientation, doping level) for projects focused on NV-based quantum sensing, gyroscopes, and magnetic field sensors. We ensure the material properties minimize systematic errors, such as the temperature drift analyzed in this research.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond was found to be a powerful tool for various sensing applications. The main work horse of this center so far has been optically detected electron resonance. Utilization of the nuclear spin has the potential of significantly improving sensitivity in rotation and magnetic field sensors. Ensemble-based sensors consume quite a bit of power, thus requiring an understanding of temperature-related shifts. In this article, we provide a detailed study of the temperature shift of the hyperfine components of the NV center.