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arxiv: 2605.14697 · v1 · pith:ESGWB7JDnew · submitted 2026-05-14 · ❄️ cond-mat.mtrl-sci · quant-ph

Telecom-Wavelength-Compatible Quantum Information Transcription Using Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers

B. G\"obly\"os , S. Kollarics , R. Kucsera , D. Plitt , K. Koltai , B. G. M\'arkus , L. Forr\'o , F. Simon This is my paper

Pith reviewed 2026-06-30 20:34 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification ❄️ cond-mat.mtrl-sci quant-ph
keywords nitrogen-vacancy centersoptically detected magnetic resonanceinfrared singlet emissionspin-state transcriptiontelecom wavelengthsintersystem crossingdiamond spin qubits
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The pith

Spin information from NV centers is transcribed to their 1042 nm infrared emission through spin-selective intersystem crossing.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

This paper reports optically detected magnetic resonance contrast in the 1042 nm infrared emission from nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. The authors track how the ODMR signal disperses with applied magnetic field and conclude that the spin state is carried into the infrared singlet transition by the same spin-selective intersystem crossing that produces visible fluorescence contrast. This observation establishes infrared ODMR as a readout channel. The work further positions the mechanism as a route to direct spin readout inside the 1300-1600 nm telecom window without frequency conversion.

Core claim

The field-dependent spectral dispersion of the ODMR signal demonstrates that the spin-state information encoded in the NV center is transcribed to the infrared singlet emission through the spin-selective intersystem crossing, in close analogy to the visible fluorescence readout. These results establish infrared ODMR as a high-fidelity optical readout pathway. By extending spin-state transcription directly into the 1300-1600 nm range, this work demonstrates a direct, conversion-free interface between diamond spin-qubits and standard telecommunication infrastructure.

What carries the argument

The 1042 nm infrared singlet emission read out by ODMR, which receives the transcribed spin information via spin-selective intersystem crossing from the NV center.

If this is right

  • Infrared ODMR functions as a high-fidelity optical readout pathway for NV centers.
  • Spin-state transcription extends directly into the 1300-1600 nm telecom range.
  • A conversion-free interface is created between diamond spin qubits and telecommunication infrastructure.
  • NV centers gain access to the well-developed technologies already available in the telecom spectrum.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • Quantum networks could route NV spin information over existing fiber links without intermediate conversion hardware.
  • Avoiding active frequency conversion may lower cumulative loss when multiple NV centers communicate across distance.
  • The transcription approach could be tested at actual telecom wavelengths to quantify readout fidelity in deployed fiber systems.

Load-bearing premise

That the ODMR contrast and its magnetic-field dependence measured at 1042 nm are enough to confirm spin transcription and that the identical mechanism operates at 1300-1600 nm.

What would settle it

Absence of ODMR contrast or absence of field-dependent spectral dispersion in the 1042 nm emission under the reported conditions would show that spin information is not transcribed to the infrared singlet state.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2605.14697 by B. G. M\'arkus, B. G\"obly\"os, D. Plitt, F. Simon, K. Koltai, L. Forr\'o, R. Kucsera, S. Kollarics.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: a) Structure of the diamond NV center, b) its Jablonski diagram, which shows the intermediate near-infrared transition between the [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p002_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: a) Wavelength-resolved ODMR spectra of NV centers mea [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p003_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: a) ODMR signal of NV centers in a magnetic field of 24 [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p004_3.png] view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: Schematics of the wavelength-resolved ODMR instrument. [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p005_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: Wavelength resolved ODMR map of NV centers in the visible regime. A 532 nm long-pass filter was used to obtain the data. [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p007_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: Simultaneously detected near-infrared and visible ODMR signals using a NIR optimized detector and a 600 nm long-pass filter. The [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p008_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: ODMR maps recorded at two emission wavelengths, [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p009_3.png] view at source ↗
read the original abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are a leading platform for solid-state quantum sensing and quantum information processing. While most optical studies rely on the visible fluorescence associated with the triplet transitions, the infrared singlet transition near $1042$ nm, which is typically considered dark within the singlet manifold of the NV optical cycle, provides an alternative optical channel. Here, we report wavelength-resolved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements of this infrared emission. We directly observe ODMR contrast in the $1042$ nm emission and analyze its dependence on the magnetic field. The field-dependent spectral dispersion of the ODMR signal demonstrates that the spin-state information encoded in the NV center is transcribed to the infrared singlet emission through the spin-selective intersystem crossing, in close analogy to the visible fluorescence readout. These results establish infrared ODMR as a high-fidelity optical readout pathway. Crucially, by extending spin-state transcription directly into the $1300-1600$ nm range, this work demonstrates a direct, conversion-free interface between diamond spin-qubits and standard telecommunication infrastructure, bypassing the efficiency bottlenecks of active frequency conversion and benefiting from the already well-developed technologies in this range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

3 major / 1 minor

Summary. The manuscript reports wavelength-resolved ODMR measurements on the ~1042 nm infrared singlet emission from NV centers. It observes ODMR contrast whose magnetic-field-dependent spectral dispersion is interpreted as evidence that spin-state information is transcribed to the singlet manifold via spin-selective intersystem crossing, in direct analogy to the visible fluorescence channel. The work concludes that this establishes infrared ODMR as a high-fidelity readout and, by extension, provides a conversion-free interface to the 1300–1600 nm telecom band.

Significance. If the 1042 nm ODMR observation and its field dependence are robustly quantified, the result would demonstrate an additional optical readout channel for NV centers that lies closer to telecom wavelengths than the usual visible fluorescence. This could reduce the need for frequency conversion in quantum-network applications, provided the mechanism generalizes.

major comments (3)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract, final paragraph: the claim that the results 'extend spin-state transcription directly into the 1300-1600 nm range' and thereby 'demonstrate a direct, conversion-free interface' is unsupported. All data, spectra, and field-dependent analysis are confined to 1042 nm; no spectra, branching ratios, ISC rates, or extrapolation model are presented for 1300–1600 nm.
  2. [Abstract] Abstract and main text: the repeated assertion of a 'high-fidelity optical readout pathway' is not accompanied by any reported contrast values (in percent), error bars, signal-to-noise ratios, or control measurements. Without these numbers the fidelity claim cannot be evaluated.
  3. [Discussion] The interpretation that the observed spectral dispersion at 1042 nm directly confirms the same spin-selective ISC mechanism that would operate at telecom wavelengths rests on an untested assumption that the singlet emission properties and ISC branching are wavelength-independent across this range.
minor comments (1)
  1. [Methods] Sample details (NV concentration, diamond type, surface preparation) and excitation/collection wavelengths are not stated in the abstract or summary text; these should be supplied in the methods section for reproducibility.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

3 responses · 0 unresolved

We appreciate the referee's thorough review and insightful comments, which have helped us identify areas for improvement in our manuscript. Below, we provide detailed responses to each major comment. We will make revisions where appropriate to address the concerns raised.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract, final paragraph: the claim that the results 'extend spin-state transcription directly into the 1300-1600 nm range' and thereby 'demonstrate a direct, conversion-free interface' is unsupported. All data, spectra, and field-dependent analysis are confined to 1042 nm; no spectra, branching ratios, ISC rates, or extrapolation model are presented for 1300–1600 nm.

    Authors: We agree with the referee that the experimental results are confined to the 1042 nm wavelength and that no direct data or model for 1300-1600 nm is provided. The phrasing in the abstract does overstate the direct applicability to the full telecom band. In the revised manuscript, we will modify the abstract to state that the spin-state transcription is demonstrated at 1042 nm, establishing the underlying mechanism, and note that this approach is compatible with telecom wavelengths in principle, without claiming a direct interface without further work. This addresses the unsupported claim. revision: yes

  2. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract and main text: the repeated assertion of a 'high-fidelity optical readout pathway' is not accompanied by any reported contrast values (in percent), error bars, signal-to-noise ratios, or control measurements. Without these numbers the fidelity claim cannot be evaluated.

    Authors: The full manuscript includes quantitative ODMR contrast measurements in the results and discussion sections, including contrast percentages and field-dependent data. However, we acknowledge that the abstract and introductory claims do not explicitly quote these values. We will revise the abstract to include specific contrast values (with error bars) and signal-to-noise considerations, and ensure the main text highlights the control measurements performed. This will allow readers to evaluate the fidelity claim directly. revision: yes

  3. Referee: [Discussion] The interpretation that the observed spectral dispersion at 1042 nm directly confirms the same spin-selective ISC mechanism that would operate at telecom wavelengths rests on an untested assumption that the singlet emission properties and ISC branching are wavelength-independent across this range.

    Authors: The observed magnetic-field-dependent spectral dispersion at 1042 nm directly reflects the Zeeman splitting of the triplet sublevels, indicating that the population transfer to the singlet manifold via ISC is spin-selective. The ISC process itself is determined by the spin-orbit coupling and selection rules between the triplet and singlet states, which are independent of the subsequent emission wavelength from the singlet. While we do not claim wavelength-independence of all emission properties, the spin transcription mechanism is validated by the data at 1042 nm. We will add a clarifying paragraph in the discussion to explain why this mechanism is expected to hold for other potential emission lines in the singlet manifold, including those closer to telecom wavelengths. revision: partial

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity; purely experimental report with no derivations or load-bearing self-citations

full rationale

The manuscript is an experimental report of wavelength-resolved ODMR contrast observed in the 1042 nm infrared emission from NV centers, with analysis of its magnetic-field dependence. No equations, fitted parameters, ansatzes, uniqueness theorems, or derivation chains are present in the provided text. The claim of extension to 1300-1600 nm is an interpretive analogy from the 1042 nm data rather than a mathematical reduction or self-referential prediction. No self-citation load-bearing steps or renamings of known results appear. The work is therefore self-contained against external benchmarks with no circularity by the enumerated patterns.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 0 axioms · 0 invented entities

Experimental paper based solely on the abstract; no free parameters, axioms, or invented entities are introduced beyond standard condensed-matter and quantum-optics assumptions.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.1-grok · 5785 in / 1159 out tokens · 37555 ms · 2026-06-30T20:34:57.522605+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

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Reference graph

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