Electrical Readout of Spin Environments in Diamond for Quantum Sensing

Abstract

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond are a key platform for quantum sensing and quantum information, combining long coherence times with controllable spin-spin interactions. Most of current quantum algorithms rely on optical access, which limit device integration and applicability in opaque or miniaturized settings. Here we demonstrate an all-electrical approach, photocurrent double electron-electron resonance (PC-DEER), permitting exploiting local dipolar interactions between individual NV spin qubits or ensembles and nearby paramagnetic defects with sub-confocal resolution. PC-DEER extends photocurrent NV readout from single-spin to spin-bath control and coherent manipulation, enabling characterization of bath-induced noise and effective deployment of noise-reduction protocols. We resolve the signatures of substitutional nitrogen (P1) and NVH centers with reproducible contrast by using electrical signals. Our results establish a scalable, optical-free spin readout strategy that bridges fundamental studies of spin environments with deployable quantum technologies, advancing the integration of diamond-based sensors into solid-state quantum devices.