ABSTRACT
Coherent control and readout of single spins in solids is attracting
considerable attention, owing to potential application of atomic-
scale technologies in novel information processing protocols and
sensing at the nanoscale [38]. Spins are particularly interesting
candidates for achieving such control, owing to the long coherence
time. This isolation from the environment makes the readout of
individual spins quite challenging. It was shown that the magnetic
moment associated with single quantum systems can be detected in
transport measurements with single quantum dots [25] and defects
in silicon [81]. Magnetic resonance force microscopy was also able
to reach the ultimate sensitivity regime [65]. Recently developed
optical readout techniques explore new avenue in single-spin de-
tection by combining high-sensitivity optical microscopy techniques
and conventional magnetic resonance control methods. Following
detection of single molecular spin [80], quantum states associated
with single defects in diamond were explored [29]. Experiments
with single defects in diamond are particularly interesting owing to
the long coherence time associated with spins of color centers. This
chapter shows the basics of single-spin detection and highlights the
importance of coherent control of spins in solids for novel quantum
technologies.
