Charge state dynamics of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond under 1064-nm laser excitation

Abstract

The photophysics and charge state dynamics of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond has been extensively investigated, but is still not fully understood. In contrast to previous work, we find that ${\mathrm{NV}}^{0}$ converts to ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ under excitation with low power near-infrared (1064-nm) light, resulting in increased photoluminescence from the ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state. We used a combination of spectral and time-resolved photoluminescence experiments and rate-equation modeling to conclude that ${\mathrm{NV}}^{0}$ converts to ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ via absorption of 1064-nm photons from the valence band of diamond. We report fast quenching and recovery of the photoluminescence from both charge states of the NV center under low power 1064-nm laser excitation, which has not been previously observed. We also find, using optically detected magnetic resonance experiments, that the charge transfer process mediated by the 1064-nm laser is spin dependent.