Ultrafast Orbital Depolarization and Defect-Localized Phonon Dynamics Induced by Quantum Resonance between Multi-Nitrogen Vacancy Defects

Abstract

Proximate nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defects with interdefect interaction may establish a new kind of quantum qubit network to explore controlled multibody quantum dynamics. In particular, by introducing the critical distance and favorable orientation between a pair of NV defects, the quantum resonance (QR) can be induced. Here, we present the first real-time depolarization and phonon dynamics on the excited state at ambient temperature which are intrinsic to the proximate multi-NV defects. We computationally demonstrate that the QR can effectively change the major properties of the multi-NV defects, such as orbital degeneracy, orbital delocalization, local phonon modes, electron–phonon coupling, and orbital depolarization dynamics, elucidating the physical mechanisms and finding the key factors to control them. The physical insights provide a starting point for the positioning accuracy of NV defects and creation protocols with broad implications for magnetometry, quantum information, nanophotonics, sensing, and spectroscopy, allowing the QR to be a new means of physical manipulation.