High-precision GHZ clock generation using spin states in diamond

US9385654B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York · US
• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Dirk Robert Englund · San Diego, US
• Jonathan Hodges · Princeton, US
• Mikhail D. Lukin · Cambridge, US
• Norman Y. Yao · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 13, 2014
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2016
• Expiry date: Apr 12, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03L7/26
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Techniques for obtaining a frequency standard using the crystal field splitting frequency of nitrogen vacancy center in diamond are disclosed. In certain exemplary embodiments, a microwave field is applied to the diamond and optically exciting the diamond under green light. The photoluminescent response of the diamond is measured by a photodetector. The intensity of the photoluminescent response can be used to determine the phase shift between the microwave and the crystal field splitting frequency. The microwave field frequency can be adjusted until the phase shift is below a predetermined threshold, and the microwave frequency can then be output for use as a standard.