Optically detected magnetic resonance in neutral silicon vacancy centers in diamond via bound exciton states

Neutral silicon vacancy (SiV⁰) centers in diamond are promising candidates for quantum networks because of their excellent optical properties and long spin coherence times. However, spin-dependent fluorescence in such defects has been elusive due to poor understanding of the excited state fine structure and limited off-resonant spin polarization. In this talk, I will discuss the realization of optically detected magnetic resonance and coherent control of SiV⁰ centers at cryogenic temperatures, enabled by efficient optical spin polarization via previously un-reported higher-lying excited states. We assign these states as bound exciton states using group theory and density functional theory. These bound exciton states enable new control schemes for SiV⁰ as well as other emerging defect systems.