NV Color Centers in Diamond as a Platform for Quantum Thermodynamics

Abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond constitute a unique system for experimental quantum thermodynamic research. The NV is a quantum spin (exhibiting millisecond-scale coherence times at room temperature) within a solid structure, surrounded naturally by both an electronic spin bath (nitrogen impurities) and a nuclear spin bath (13C isotopes). The optical access offered by the NV in terms of spin-state readout and initialization (cooling), together with its versatile microwave control, provides a rich platform for experiments in quantum thermodynamics. We present the NV system, detail core schemes for spin manipulation and bath cooling, and describe future prospects.