Coherence properties of a single dipole emitter in diamond

Graham D. Marshall, Torsten Gaebel, Jonathan C. F. Matthews, Jörg Enderlein, Jeremy L. O'Brien, James R. Rabeau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
30 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

On-demand, high repetition rate sources of indistinguishable, polarized single photons are the key component for future photonic quantum technologies (O'Brien et al 2009 Nat. Photonics 3 687-95). Colour centres in diamond offer a promising solution, and the narrow linewidth of the recently identified nickel-based NE8 centre makes it particularly appealing for realizing the transform-limited sources necessary for quantum interference. Here, we report the characterization of dipole orientation and coherence properties of a single NE8 colour centre in a diamond nanocrystal at room temperature. We observe a single-photon coherence time of 0.21 ps and an emission lifetime of 1.5 ns. Combined with an emission wavelength that is ideally suited for applications in existing quantum optical systems, these results show that NE8 is a far more promising source than the more commonly studied nitrogen-vacancy centre and point the way to the realization of a practical diamond colour centrebased single-photon source.

Original languageEnglish
Article number055016
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalNew Journal of Physics
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2011

Bibliographical note

Copyright 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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