REPLY TO COMMENT ON ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURE OF THE N-V CENTER IN DIAMOND- THEORY

We present insights into the electronic structure and relaxation of N- V color centers in diamond which support the contention that Jahn-Tell er effects may play a very significant role in the excited E state. We also consider several opposing arguments, but show that the unusual r elaxation behavior of the N-V center can mask common signatures of the Jahn-Teller effect, and that it remains a strong candidate for the do minant interaction determining excited-state splittings. [S0163-1829(9 7)05748-2].