Single-photon emission in the near infrared from diamond colour centre

Optically active colour centres based on nickel–nitrogen impurities are observed in natural diamond under continuous-wave excitation. The spectral analysis shows that the single emitters have a narrow band emission in the near infrared, around 780 nm, which is almost entirely concentrated in the zero phonon line even at room temperature. The colour centre excited-state lifetime is as short as 2 ns, and the photoluminescence light is linear polarized. These striking features pave the way to the realization of a triggered single-photon source based on this colour centre emission well suited for open-air single-photon Quantum Key Distribution operating in day-light conditions.