Efficient Extraction of Light from a Nitrogen-Vacancy Center in a Diamond Parabolic Reflector

Nano Lett. 2018 May 9;18(5):2787-2793. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b04684. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

Quantum emitters in solids are being developed for a range of quantum technologies, including quantum networks, computing, and sensing. However, a remaining challenge is the poor photon collection due to the high refractive index of most host materials. Here we overcome this limitation by introducing monolithic parabolic reflectors as an efficient geometry for broadband photon extraction from quantum emitter and experimentally demonstrate this device for the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. Simulations indicate a photon collection efficiency exceeding 75% across the visible spectrum and experimental devices, fabricated using a high-throughput gray scale lithography process, demonstrating a photon extraction efficiency of (41 ± 5)%. This device enables a raw experimental detection efficiency of (12 ± 1)% with fluorescence detection rates as high as (4.114 ± 0.003) × 106 counts per second (cps) from a single NV center. Enabled by our deterministic emitter localization and fabrication process, we find a high number of exceptional devices with an average count rate of (3.1 ± 0.9) × 106 cps.

Keywords: diamond; nitrogen-vacancy centers; photon extraction; quantum information processing; quantum sensing; solid-state emitters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't