127 research outputs found
Dynamics of Quantum Dot Nuclear Spin Polarization Controlled by a Single Electron
We present an experimental study of the dynamics underlying the buildup and
decay of dynamical nuclear spin polarization in a single semiconductor quantum
dot. Our experiment shows that the nuclei can be polarized on a time scale of a
few milliseconds, while their decay dynamics depends drastically on external
parameters. We show that a single electron can very efficiently depolarize the
nuclear spins and discuss two processes that can cause this depolarization.
Conversely, in the absence of a quantum dot electron, the lifetime of nuclear
spin polarization is on the time scale of a second, most likely limited by the
non-secular terms of the nuclear dipole-dipole interaction. We can further
suppress this depolarization rate by 1-2 orders of magnitude by applying an
external magnetic field exceeding 1 mT.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Nonlinear dynamics of quantum dot nuclear spins
We report manifestly nonlinear dependence of quantum dot nuclear spin
polarization on applied magnetic fields. Resonant absorption and emission of
circularly polarized radiation pumps the resident quantum dot electron spin,
which in turn leads to nuclear spin polarization due to hyperfine interaction.
We observe that the resulting Overhauser field exhibits hysteresis as a
function of the external magnetic field. This hysteresis is a consequence of
the feedback of the Overhauser field on the nuclear spin cooling rate. A
semi-classical model describing the coupled nuclear and electron spin dynamics
successfully explains the observed hysteresis but leaves open questions for the
low field behaviour of the nuclear spin polarization.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Resolved sidebands in a strain-coupled hybrid spin-oscillator system
We report on single electronic spins coupled to the motion of mechanical
resonators by a novel mechanism based on crystal strain. Our device consists of
single-crystalline diamond cantilevers with embedded Nitrogen-Vacancy center
spins. Using optically detected electron spin resonance, we determine the
unknown spin-strain coupling constants and demonstrate that our system resides
well within the resolved sideband regime. We realize coupling strengths
exceeding ten MHz under mechanical driving and show that our system has the
potential to reach strong coupling. Our novel hybrid system forms a resource
for future experiments on spin-based cantilever cooling and coherent
spin-oscillator coupling.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures and supplementary information. Comments welcome.
Further information under http://www.quantum-sensing.physik.unibas.ch
Magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond
The isolated electronic spin system of the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centre in
diamond offers unique possibilities to be employed as a nanoscale sensor for
detection and imaging of weak magnetic fields. Magnetic imaging with nanometric
resolution and field detection capabilities in the nanotesla range are enabled
by the atomic-size and exceptionally long spin-coherence times of this
naturally occurring defect. The exciting perspectives that ensue from these
characteristics have triggered vivid experimental activities in the emerging
field of "NV magnetometry". It is the purpose of this article to review the
recent progress in high-sensitivity nanoscale NV magnetometry, generate an
overview of the most pertinent results of the last years and highlight
perspectives for future developments. We will present the physical principles
that allow for magnetic field detection with NV centres and discuss first
applications of NV magnetometers that have been demonstrated in the context of
nano magnetism, mesoscopic physics and the life sciences.Comment: Review article, 28 pages, 16 figure
Demagnetization of Quantum Dot Nuclear Spins: Breakdown of the Nuclear Spin Temperature Approach
The physics of interacting nuclear spins arranged in a crystalline lattice is
typically described using a thermodynamic framework: a variety of experimental
studies in bulk solid-state systems have proven the concept of a spin
temperature to be not only correct but also vital for the understanding of
experimental observations. Using demagnetization experiments we demonstrate
that the mesoscopic nuclear spin ensemble of a quantum dot (QD) can in general
not be described by a spin temperature. We associate the observed deviations
from a thermal spin state with the presence of strong quadrupolar interactions
within the QD that cause significant anharmonicity in the spectrum of the
nuclear spins. Strain-induced, inhomogeneous quadrupolar shifts also lead to a
complete suppression of angular momentum exchange between the nuclear spin
ensemble and its environment, resulting in nuclear spin relaxation times
exceeding an hour. Remarkably, the position dependent axes of quadrupolar
interactions render magnetic field sweeps inherently non-adiabatic, thereby
causing an irreversible loss of nuclear spin polarization.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
A low-loss, broadband antenna for efficient photon collection from a coherent spin in diamond
We report the creation of a low-loss, broadband optical antenna giving highly
directed output from a coherent single spin in the solid-state. The device, the
first solid-state realization of a dielectric antenna, is engineered for
individual nitrogen vacancy (NV) electronic spins in diamond. We demonstrate a
directionality close to 10. The photonic structure preserves the high spin
coherence of single crystal diamond (T2>100us). The single photon count rate
approaches a MHz facilitating efficient spin readout. We thus demonstrate a key
enabling technology for quantum applications such as high-sensitivity
magnetometry and long-distance spin entanglement.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures and supplementary information (5 pages, 8
figures). Comments welcome. Further information under
http://www.quantum-sensing.physik.unibas.c
Knight Field Enabled Nuclear Spin Polarization in Single Quantum Dots
We demonstrate dynamical nuclear spin polarization in the absence of an
external magnetic field, by resonant circularly polarized optical excitation of
a single electron or hole charged quantum dot. Optical pumping of the electron
spin induces an effective inhomogeneous magnetic (Knight) field that determines
the direction along which nuclear spins could polarize and enables nuclear-spin
cooling by suppressing depolarization induced by nuclear dipole-dipole
interactions. Our observations suggest a new mechanism for spin-polarization
where spin exchange with an electron reservoir plays a crucial role. These
experiments constitute a first step towards quantum measurement of the
Overhauser field.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Parabolic diamond scanning probes for single spin magnetic field imaging
Enhancing the measurement signal from solid state quantum sensors such as the
nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an important problem for sensing and
imaging of condensed matter systems. Here we engineer diamond scanning probes
with a truncated parabolic profile that optimizes the photonic signal from
single embedded NV centers, forming a high-sensitivity probe for nanoscale
magnetic field imaging. We develop a scalable fabrication procedure based on
dry etching with a flowable oxide mask to reliably produce a controlled tip
curvature. The resulting parabolic tip shape yields a median saturation count
rate of 2.1 0.2 MHz, the highest reported for single NVs in scanning
probes to date. Furthermore, the structures operate across the full NV
photoluminescence spectrum, emitting into a numerical aperture of 0.46 and the
end-facet of the truncated tip, located near the focus of the parabola, allows
for small NV-sample spacings and nanoscale imaging. We demonstrate the
excellent properties of these diamond scanning probes by imaging ferromagnetic
stripes with a spatial resolution better than 50 nm. Our results mark a 5-fold
improvement in measurement signal over the state-of-the art in scanning-probe
based NV sensors.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
Skyrmion morphology in ultrathin magnetic films
Nitrogen-vacancy magnetic microscopy is employed in quenching mode as a
non-invasive, high resolution tool to investigate the morphology of isolated
skyrmions in ultrathin magnetic films. The skyrmion size and shape are found to
be strongly affected by local pinning effects and magnetic field history.
Micromagnetic simulations including static disorder, based on a physical model
of grain-to-grain thickness variations, reproduce all experimental observations
and reveal the key role of disorder and magnetic history in the stabilization
of skyrmions in ultrathin magnetic films. This work opens the way to an
in-depth understanding of skyrmion dynamics in real, disordered media.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, including supplementary information
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