A tiny defect in a crystal reveals a big quantum surprise

Their approach can simulate the entire optical cycle, including a particularly difficult process known as internal conversion.

The method may also prove useful for studying materials involved in renewable energy conversion and storage.

How Quantum Defects Lose Energy When a laser excites a spin defect, the defect can return to its original, lower-energy state through several different processes.

"What we found is that this internal conversion process turns out to be more important than we thought."

"We provided the missing piece of the puzzle needed to completely describe the optical cycle of spin defects," Galli said.