%0 Journal Article
%T Spin-dependent photodynamics of boron-vacancy centers in hexagonal boron nitride
%+ Axe Physique de l'Exciton, du Photon et du Spin (L2C) (PEPS)
%A Clua-Provost, T.
%A Mu, Z.
%A Durand, A.
%A Schrader, C.
%A Happacher, J.
%A Bocquel, J.
%A Maletinsky, P.
%A Fraunié, J.
%A Marie, X.
%A Robert, C.
%A Seine, G.
%A Janzen, E.
%A Edgar, J.
%A Gil, B.
%A Cassabois, G.
%A Jacques, V.
%< avec comité de lecture
%@ 2469-9950
%J Physical Review B
%I American Physical Society
%V 110
%N 1
%P 014104
%8 2024-04-22
%D 2024
%R 10.1103/PhysRevB.110.014104
%Z Physics [physics]Journal articles
%X The negatively-charged boron vacancy (V - B ) center in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is currently garnering considerable attention for the design of two-dimensional (2D) quantum sensing units. Such developments require a precise understanding of the spin-dependent optical response of V - B centers, which still remains poorly documented despite its key role for sensing applications. Here we investigate the spin-dependent photodynamics of V - B centers in hBN by a series of time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements. We first introduce a robust all-optical method to infer the spin-dependent lifetime of the excited states and the electron spin polarization of V - B centers under optical pumping. Using these results, we then analyze PL time traces recorded at different optical excitation powers with a seven-level model of the V - B center and we extract all the rates involved in the spin-dependent optical cycles, both under ambient conditions and at liquid helium temperature. These findings are finally used to study the impact of a vector magnetic field on the optical response. More precisely, we analyze PL quenching effects resulting from electron spin mixing induced by the magnetic field component perpendicular to the V - B quantization axis. All experimental results are well reproduced by the seven-level model, illustrating its robustness to describe the spin-dependent photodymanics of V - B centers. This work provides important insights into the properties of V - B centers in hBN, which are valuable for future developments of 2D quantum sensing units.
%G English
%2 https://hal.science/hal-04797955v1/document
%2 https://hal.science/hal-04797955v1/file/2404.14155v1.pdf
%L hal-04797955
%U https://hal.science/hal-04797955
%~ CNRS
%~ L2C
%~ UNIV-MONTPELLIER
%~ ANR
%~ TRANSLITTERAE
%~ UM-2015-2021
%~ UM-EPE