State-dependent phonon-limited spin relaxation of nitrogen-vacancy centers

Understanding the limits to spin coherence of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is vital realizing full potential this quantum system. We show that relaxation on |ms=−1〉↔|ms=+1〉 transition occurs approximately twice as fast |ms=0〉↔|ms=±1〉 transitions under ambient conditions native NVs high-purity bulk diamond. The rates we observe are independent NV concentration over four orders magnitude, indicating they limited by spin-phonon interactions. find maximum theoretically achievable time for an at 295 K 6.8(2) ms. Finally, present a theoretical analysis our results suggests Orbach-like from quasilocalized phonons or contributions due higher-order terms Hamiltonian dominant mechanism behind relaxation, motivating future measurements temperature dependence rate.Received 22 July 2020Accepted 13 January 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.013123Published American Physical Society Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution work must maintain attribution author(s) and published article's title, journal citation, DOI.Published SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasElectron-phonon couplingNitrogen vacancy centers diamondSpin relaxationTechniquesElectron resonanceOptically detected magnetic resonanceCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics