Coherent control of a single nitrogen-vacancy center spin in optically levitated nanodiamond

We report the first observation, to the best of our knowledge, of electron spin transients in single negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) centers, contained within optically trapped nanodiamonds, in both atmospheric pressure and low vacuum. It is shown that, after an initial exposure to low vacuum, the trapped nanodiamonds remain at temperatures near room temperature even in low vacuum. Furthermore, the transverse coherence time of the NV- center spin, measured to be T-2 = 101.4 ns, is robust over the range of trapping powers considered in this study. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America