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Coherent spin dynamics between electron and nucleus within a single atom

Journal Article (2024)
Author(s)

Lukas M. Veldman (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/Otte Lab)

Evert W. Stolte (TU Delft - QN/Otte Lab, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)

Mark P. Canavan (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, Student TU Delft)

Rik Broekhoven (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/Otte Lab)

Philip Willke (Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie)

Laëtitia Farinacci (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/Otte Lab)

Sander Otte (TU Delft - QN/Otte Lab, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)

Research Group
QN/Otte Lab
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52270-0
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
QN/Otte Lab
Issue number
1
Volume number
15
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Abstract

The nuclear spin, being much more isolated from the environment than its electronic counterpart, presents opportunities for quantum experiments with prolonged coherence times. Electron spin resonance (ESR) combined with scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) provides a bottom-up platform to study the fundamental properties of nuclear spins of single atoms on a surface. However, access to the time evolution of nuclear spins remained a challenge. Here, we present an experiment resolving the nanosecond coherent dynamics of a hyperfine-driven flip-flop interaction between the spin of an individual nucleus and that of an orbiting electron. We use the unique local controllability of the magnetic field emanating from the STM probe tip to bring the electron and nuclear spins in tune, as evidenced by a set of avoided level crossings in ESR-STM. Subsequently, we polarize both spins through scattering of tunnelling electrons and measure the resulting free evolution of the coupled spin system using a DC pump-probe scheme. The latter reveals a complex pattern of multiple interfering coherent oscillations, providing unique insight into hyperfine physics on a single atom level.