%0 Journal Article
%T Spin Properties of Very Shallow Nitrogen Vacancy Defects in Diamond
%A B. K. Ofori-Okai
%A S. Pezzagna
%A K. Chang
%A M. Loretz
%A R. Schirhagl
%A Y. Tao
%A B. A. Moores
%A K. Groot-Berning
%A J. Meijer
%A C. L. Degen
%J Physics
%D 2012
%I arXiv
%R 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.081406
%X We investigate spin and optical properties of individual nitrogen-vacancy centers located within 1-10 nm from the diamond surface. We observe stable defects with a characteristic optically detected magnetic resonance spectrum down to lowest depth. We also find a small, but systematic spectral broadening for defects shallower than about 2 nm. This broadening is consistent with the presence of a surface paramagnetic impurity layer [Tisler et al., ACS Nano 3, 1959 (2009)] largely decoupled by motional averaging. The observation of stable and well-behaved defects very close to the surface is critical for single-spin sensors and devices requiring nanometer proximity to the target.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1201.0871v2