Figure 1: Protocol for improving the readout signal from a single nitrogen-vacancy (${\text{NV}}^{-}$) center in diamond: ${\text{NV}}^{-}$ centers arise when a substitutional nitrogen atom ($\text{N}$) is next to a vacancy ($\text{V}$) as shown in the inset. The traditional readout technique used by most researchers to date is shown schematically as Route $1$, which connects the two states that form the logical qubit without involving the nuclear spin state of the ${}^{14}\text{N}$. However, by driving the system along route $2$ and then $3$, the signal-to-noise is increased by $\sqrt{3}$. This technique is universal because it works for an ${\text{NV}}^{-}$ center in any local environment. The states are labeled by $|$electron spin state, ${}^{14}\text{N}$ nuclear spin state$\rangle$. Routes $1$ and $3$ proceed via the excited states, and route $3$ requires a level anticrossing (LAC) in the excited states, reached by the application of a $50\text{mT}$ magnetic field.