Realization of devices based on quantum laws might lead to building processors that outperform their classical analogues and establishing unconditionally secure communication protocols. Solids do usually present a serious challenge to quantum coheren
ce. However, owing to their spin-free lattice and low spin orbit coupling, carbon materials and particularly diamond are suitable for hosting robust solid state quantum registers. We show that scalable quantum logic elements can be realized by exploring long range magnetic dipolar coupling between individually addressable single electron spins associated with separate color centers in diamond. Strong distance dependence of coupling was used to characterize the separation of single qubits 98 A with unprecedented accuracy (3 A) close to a crystal lattice spacing. Our demonstration of coherent control over both electron spins, conditional dynamics, selective readout as well as switchable interaction, opens the way towards a room temperature solid state scalable quantum register. Since both electron spins are optically addressable, this solid state quantum device operating at ambient conditions provides a degree of control that is currently available only for atomic systems.
Using pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance techniques, we directly probe electron-spin resonance transitions in the excited-state of single Nitrogen-Vacancy color centers in diamond. Unambiguous assignment of excited state fine structure is m
ade, based on changes of NV defect photoluminescence lifetime. This study provides significant insight into the structure of the emitting 3E excited state, which is invaluable for the development of diamond-based quantum information processing.
