Sub-second spin and lifetime-limited optical coherences in 171Yb3+:CaWO4
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 18 March 2026
- journal article
- Published by Springer Nature in Nature Communications
- Vol. 17 (1)
Abstract
Optically addressable solid-state spins have been extensively studied for quantum technologies, offering unique advantages for quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Advancing these applications is generally limited by finding materials that simultaneously provide lifetime-limited optical and long spin coherences. Here, we introduce 171Yb3+ ions doped into a CaWO4 crystal. We perform high-resolution spectroscopy of the excited state, and demonstrate all-optical coherent control of the electron-nuclear spin ensemble. We find narrow inhomogeneous broadening of the optical transitions of 185 MHz and radiative-lifetime-limited coherence time up to 0.75 ms. Next to this, we measure a spin-transition ensemble line width of 5 kHz and electron-nuclear spin coherence time reaching 0.15 seconds at zero magnetic field between 50 mK and 1 K temperatures. These results demonstrate the potential of 171Yb3+:CaWO4 as a low-noise platform for building quantum technologies with ensemble-based memories, microwave-to-optical transducers, and optically addressable single-ion spin qubits.Keywords
All Related Versions
This publication has 53 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of disorder on optical and electron spin linewidths in Er 3+ ,Sc 3+ :Y 2 SiO 5Optical Materials, 2017
- Solid-state single-photon emittersNature Photonics, 2016
- Towards a spin-ensemble quantum memory for superconducting qubitsComptes Rendus. Physique, 2016
- Coherent Optical Transitions in Implanted Nitrogen Vacancy CentersNano Letters, 2014
- Heralded entanglement between solid-state qubits separated by three metresNature, 2013
- Electron spin coherence exceeding seconds in high-purity siliconNature Materials, 2011
- Photon‐echo quantum memory in solid state systemsLaser & Photonics Reviews, 2010
- High-sensitivity diamond magnetometer with nanoscale resolutionNature Physics, 2008
- Table of nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole momentsAtomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables, 2005
- Spectroscopic Properties of Rare Earths in Optical Materials2005