arXiv subjects

B. A. McCullian

Publications and source records attributed to B. A. McCullian.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Measuring the ferromagnetic resonance cone angle via static dipolar fields using diamond spins

We demonstrate quantitative measurement of the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) precession cone angle of a micro-scale sample of vanadium tetracyanoethylene (V[TCNE]$_{x\sim 2}$) using diamond spins. V[TCNE]$_{x\sim 2}$ is a low-damping, low-magnetization ferrimagnet with potential for scalable spintronics applications. Our study is motivated by the persistent need for quantitative metrology to accurately characterize magnetic dynamics and relaxation. Recently, diamond spins have emerged as sensitive probes of static and dynamic magnetic signals. Unlike analog sensors that require additional calibration, diamond spins respond to magnetic fields via a frequency shift that can be compared with frequency standards. We use a spin echo-based approach to measure the precession-induced change to the static stray dipolar field of a pair of V[TCNE]$_{x\sim 2}$ discs under FMR excitation. Using these stray dipolar field measurements and micromagnetic simulations, we extract the precession cone angle. Additionally, we quantitatively measure the microwave field amplitude using the same diamond spins, thus forming a quantitative link between drive and response. We find that our V[TCNE]$_{x\sim 2}$ sample can be driven to a cone angle of at least 6$^{\circ}$ with a microwave field amplitude of only 0.53 G. This work highlights the power of diamond spins for local, quantitative magnetic characterization.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Coherent Acoustic Control of Defect Orbital States in the Strong-Driving Limit

We use a bulk acoustic wave resonator to demonstrate coherent control of the excited orbital states in a diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center at cryogenic temperature. Coherent quantum control is an essential tool for understanding and mitigating decoherence. Moreover, characterizing and controlling orbital states is a central challenge for quantum networking, where optical coherence is tied to orbital coherence. We study resonant multi-phonon orbital Rabi oscillations in both the frequency and time domain, extracting the strength of the orbital-phonon interactions and the coherence of the acoustically driven orbital states. We reach the strong-driving limit, where the physics is dominated by the coupling induced by the acoustic waves. We find agreement between our measurements, quantum master equation simulations, and a Landau-Zener transition model in the strong-driving limit. Using perturbation theory, we derive an expression for the orbital Rabi frequency versus acoustic drive strength that is non-perturbative in the drive strength and agrees well with our measurements for all acoustic powers. Motivated by continuous wave spin resonance-based decoherence protection schemes, we model the orbital decoherence and find good agreement between our model and our measured few-to-several nanoseconds orbital decoherence times. We discuss the outlook for orbital decoherence protection.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Quantifying NV-center Spectral Diffusion by Symmetry

The spectrally narrow, spin-dependent optical transitions of nitrogen vacancy (NV) center defects in diamond can be harnessed for quantum networking applications. Key to such networking schemes is the generation of indistinguishable photons. Two challenges limit scalability in such systems: defect-to-defect variations of the optical transition frequencies caused by local strain variation, and spectral diffusion of the optical frequencies on repeated measurement caused by photoexcitation of nearby charge traps. In this experimental study we undertake a group theoretic approach to quantifying spectral diffusion and strain, decomposing each into components corresponding to Jahn-Teller symmetries of the NV center. We investigate correlations between the components of strain, spectral diffusion, and depth from surface, finding that strain and spectral diffusion are each dominated by longitudinal perturbations. We also find a weak negative correlation between transverse static strain and total spectral diffusion suggesting that transverse strain provides some degree of protection from spectral diffusion. Additionally, we find that spectral diffusion becomes more pronounced with increasing depth in the diamond bulk. Our symmetry-decomposed technique for quantifying spectral diffusion can be valuable for understanding how a given nanoscale charge trap environment influences spectral diffusion and for developing strategies of mitigation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Broadband EPR Spectroscopy in Diverse Field Conditions Using Optically Detected Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond

Paramagnetic magnetic resonance, a powerful technique for characterizing and identifying chemical targets, is increasingly used for imaging; however, low spin polarization at room temperature and moderate magnetic fields poses challenges for detecting small numbers of spins. In this work, we use fluorescence from nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to detect the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of optically inactive target spins under various conditions of field magnitude and orientation. The protocol requires neither direct microwave manipulation of the NV spins nor spectral overlap between NV and target spin resonances, thus enabling broadband detection. This unexpected non-resonant coupling is attributable to a two-phonon process that relaxes NV spins proximate to the fluctuating dipole moment of the target spin, suggesting that the sensitivity is determined by the dipole-dipole coupling strength. This approach holds promise for sensitive EPR detection, particularly in settings where control over the diamond-crystal orientation is difficult. This is notably the case for biological sensing applications, where nanodiamonds are being pursued for their bright, stable fluorescence and biocompatibility.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗