Elucidating the Inter-system Crossing of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Center up to Megabar Pressures
This research uses first-principles calculations and high-pressure experiments to describe how Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond change their optical properties under extreme pressure. The study reveals that stress modifies inter-system crossing rates, which control the NV's optical contrast in magnetic resonance. It shows that symmetry breaking stresses can be used to tune the NV's spin polarization and even cause contrast inversion.