Electron spin resonance from NV centers in diamonds levitating in an ion trap

Abstract

We report observations of the Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) of Nitrogen\nVacancy (NV) centers in diamonds that are levitating in an ion trap. Using a\nneedle Paul trap operating under ambient conditions, we demonstrate efficient\nmicrowave driving of the electronic spin and show that the spin properties of\ndeposited diamond particles measured by the ESR are retained in the Paul trap.\nWe also exploit the ESR signal to monitor the rotation of levitating\nmonocrystals, a first step towards spin-controlled mechanical systems in\nscattering-free traps.\n