Characterization of the electronic structure of E2′ defect in quartz by pulsed EPR spectroscopy

The electronic structure of the E2′ defect in quartz is investigated for the first time by the pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the longitudinal and transverse relaxations and the possible mechanisms lying behind are carefully characterized. With the pulsed electron–nuclear double resonance spectroscopy, a magnetically coupled proton is confirmed to exist in the E2′ center. The observed long T2T2 over 260 μs at 60 K, as well as the well-separated energy levels arising from the proton-coupled electron–nuclear structure, makes E2′ center a good candidate for quantum memory in quantum computing.

► We characterized the temperature dependence of the spin relaxations of the E2′ center in quartz by pulsed EPR.
► We analyzed the possible mechanisms of the spin relaxations lying behind.
► We confirmed the presence of the proton in the E2′ center by pulsed ENDOR.
► The long relaxation times and the well-separated electron–nuclear energy levels make the defect a good candidate for quantum memory material.