Multi-dimensional single-spin nano-optomechanics with a levitated nanodiamond

A hybrid nano-optomechanical system — a nanodiamond levitated in an optical dipole trap that contains a single nitrogen vacancy centre — shows the ability to simultaneously control multidimensional optical, phononic and spin degrees of freedom. Considerable advances made in the development of nanomechanical and nano-optomechanical devices have enabled the observation of quantum effects 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , improved sensitivity to minute forces 5 , 6 , and provided avenues to probe fundamental physics at the nanoscale 7 , 8 , 9 . Concurrently, solid-state quantum emitters with optically accessible spin degrees of freedom have been pursued in applications ranging from quantum information science 10 , 11 to nanoscale sensing 12 . Here, we demonstrate a hybrid nano-optomechanical system composed of a nanodiamond (containing a single nitrogen–vacancy centre) that is levitated in an optical dipole trap. The mechanical state of the diamond is controlled by modulation of the optical trapping potential. We demonstrate the ability to imprint the multi-dimensional mechanical motion of the cavity-free mechanical oscillator into the nitrogen–vacancy centre fluorescence and manipulate the mechanical system's intrinsic spin. This result represents the first step towards a hybrid quantum system based on levitating nanoparticles that simultaneously engages optical, phononic and spin degrees of freedom.