Quantum Diamonds are Forever! by Prof. Siddharth Dhomkar, IITMadras on 22nd February 2023

Over the past few years, researchers have discovered that various paramagnetic defects in otherwise neatly arranged crystals such as diamond, silicon carbide, and hexagonal boron nitride possess certain peculiar attributes. In this talk, I will discuss physics behind the extraordinary properties of the most celebrated spin defect, i.e. nitrogen vacancy centre in diamond. I will explain how the defect properties can be effectively characterised and manipulated via various means including specific optical illumination, DC electric fields, static as well as microwave magnetic fields, and bespoke machine learning based protocols. In a nutshell, the purpose of the talk would be to convey the ideas that are at the heart of quantum technologies based on optically active spin defects.