Quantum Control over Single Spins in Diamond

TLDR

Nitrogen‑vacancy centers in diamond provide a robust, room‑temperature platform for solid‑state qubits, enabling fundamental studies in quantum information and precision nanoscale sensing. This review surveys recent advances in magnetic and optical manipulation of NV‑center quantum spins and their significance for future applications. The authors describe how quantum control of individual NV centers protects spin coherence, facilitates multiqubit operations amid decoherence, and achieves high‑fidelity initialization and readout, while resonant optical control enables spin–photon interfaces and potential diamond‑based spin networks. These diamond‑based technologies are critical components for the next leap toward practical multiqubit devices.

Abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have recently emerged as a unique platform for fundamental studies in quantum information and nanoscience. The special properties of these impurity centers allow robust, room-temperature operation of solid-state qubits and have enabled several remarkable demonstrations in quantum information processing and precision nanoscale sensing. This article reviews the recent advances in magnetic and optical manipulation of the NV center’s quantum spin and their importance for prospective applications. We discuss how quantum control of individual centers can be harnessed for the protection of NV-center spin coherence, for multiqubit quantum operations in the presence of decoherence, and for high-fidelity initialization and readout. We also discuss the progress in resonant optical control, which has led to interfaces between spin and photonic qubits and may lead to spin networks based on diamond photonics. Many of these recently developed diamond-based technologies constitute critical components for the future leap toward practical multiqubit devices.