Optical detection of valley-polarized electron diffusion in diamond

Abstract

Using the state of valley-polarization of electrons in solids is a promising new paradigm for information storage and processing. The central challenge in utilizing valley-polarization for this purpose is to develop methods for manipulating and reading out the final valley state. Here, we demonstrate optical detection of valley-polarized electrons in diamond. It is achieved by capturing images of electroluminescence from nitrogen-vacancy centers at the surface of a diamond sample that are excited by electrons drifting and diffusing through the sample. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to interpret the resulting experimental diffusion patterns. Our results give insight into the drift-diffusion of valley-polarized electrons in diamond and yield a way of analyzing the valley-polarization of ensembles of electrons.