Stimulated emission and competitive non-radiative processes of optically active centers in diamond (StE-Diam)

Nitrogen, silicon and germanium vacancies are optical centers in diamond that attract attention due to their potential use as single-photon sources or biosensors. However, the question of achieving stimulated emission from these centers, particularly important for lasing, has not been fully explored yet. In this project, the phenomenon of light amplification by stimulated emission in each of the mentioned centers will be investigated experimentally. Optical centers will be prepared either by ion implantation into single crystal diamonds or by chemical vapor deposition of diamond films on diamond or quartz substrates. We will optimize fabrication parameters to obtain samples with high centers’ concentration and high optical quality. Based on the transient absorption and time-resolved luminescence measurements, we will describe radiative and nonradiative relaxation processes in these centers. Two spectroscopic methods (variable stripe length and pump&probe) will be employed to investigate the onset of stimulated emission under optical pumping and to uncover the underlying physics.