Work

High-sensitivity spin-based electrometry with an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate a spin-based, all-dielectric electrometer based on an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy (${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) defects in diamond. An applied electric field causes energy-level shifts symmetrically away from the ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$'s degenerate triplet states via the Stark effect; this symmetry provides immunity to temperature fluctuations allowing for shot-noise-limited detection. Using an ensemble of ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{s}$, we demonstrate shot-noise-limited sensitivities approaching 1 (V/cm)/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ under ambient conditions, at low frequencies ($<10$ Hz), and over a large dynamic range (20 dB). A theoretical model for the ensemble of ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{s}$ fits well with measurements of the ground-state electric susceptibility parameter $\ensuremath{\langle}{k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}\ensuremath{\rangle}$. Implications of spin-based, dielectric sensors for micron-scale electric-field sensing are discussed.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.95.053417