Efficient photon detection from color centers in a diamond optical waveguide

A common limitation of experiments using color centers in diamond is the poor photon collection efficiency of microscope objectives due to refraction at the diamond interface. We present a simple and effective technique to detect a large fraction of photons emitted by color centers within a planar d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics Condensed matter and materials physics, 2012-03, Vol.85 (12), Article 121202
Main Authors: Le Sage, D., Pham, L. M., Bar-Gill, N., Belthangady, C., Lukin, M. D., Yacoby, A., Walsworth, R. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Approximation
Collection
Color centers
Condensed matter
Devices
Diamonds
Magnetic fields
Photons
Prototypes
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Summary:A common limitation of experiments using color centers in diamond is the poor photon collection efficiency of microscope objectives due to refraction at the diamond interface. We present a simple and effective technique to detect a large fraction of photons emitted by color centers within a planar diamond sample by detecting light that is guided to the edges of the diamond via total internal reflection. We describe a prototype device using this "side-collection" technique, which provides a photon collection efficiency [approximate] 47% and a photon detection efficiency [approximate] 39%. We apply the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio gained from side collection to ac magnetometry using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers, and demonstrate an ac magnetic field sensitivity [approximate] 100 pT/[radical]Hz, limited by added noise in the prototype side-collection device. Technical optimization should allow significant further improvements in photon collection and detection efficiency as well as subpicotesla NV-diamond magnetic field sensitivity using the side-collection technique.
ISSN:1098-0121
1550-235X
DOI:10.1103/physrevb.85.121202