Superluminescence in the phonon wing of the photoluminescence spectrum of NV centres in diamond optically pumped at λ = 532 nm

Superluminescence of NV centres with a band peaking at λ = 718 nm in the phonon wing of the photoluminescence spectrum of a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) diamond sample under pulsed optical excitation at λ = 532 nm with an intensity of 2 – 46 MW cm−2 is demonstrated. Superluminescence is observed in the diamond crystal region containing 6 ppm NV centres and 150 ppm substituent nitrogen; it is absent in the crystal part with a lower nitrogen content. Superluminescence pulses are observed on the leading edge of the optical excitation pulse at λ = 532 nm and have an FWHM value of 4 ns. The enhancement of the photoluminescence of NV centres is suggested to be due to the total internal reflection in the diamond plate (waveguide effect).