Quantum control of nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond

Quantum computing and quantum sensing have received much attention in recent years. As an atomic quantum system with super-long coherence time and spin-dependent optical transitions at room temperature, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is one of the well-studied physical systems in quantum information science. In this review, we brief the working principles and quantum control techniques of this single spin system, and also several experimental demonstrations. We focus on the following points:1) coherent manipulation of single spins with optically detected magnetic resonance; 2) main mechanism of NV election spin decoherence and schemes of coherence protection; 3) quantum sensing and quantum computing applications of spin quantum control techniques. Some open questions are discussed at the end of this review.