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Physicists Demonstrate Self-Induced Superradiant Masing in Diamond

Spin–spin interactions in dense NV ensembles sustain long-lived microwave pulses without external drive.

Overview

  • Researchers at TU Wien and OIST report the first laboratory realization of self-induced superradiant masing, with results published in Nature Physics.
  • A dense ensemble of nitrogen‑vacancy centers in diamond coupled to a microwave cavity produced an expected initial burst followed by a train of narrow, long‑lived microwave pulses.
  • Large-scale simulations attribute the sustained pulsing to self-induced spin interactions that dynamically repopulate energy levels.
  • Team members describe the system as self-organizing, with disorder among spins fueling an exceptionally coherent microwave signal.
  • The effect points to potential routes for ultra-stable clocks, communication links, navigation systems, and sensitive quantum sensors, though translation to devices remains early-stage.