Hands-On Quantum Sensing with NV− Centers in Diamonds

• Published in: C (Basel) Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 16
• Main Authors: Sánchez Toural, J. L., Marzoa, V., Bernardo-Gavito, R., Pau, J. L., Granados, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Chemical bonds; Color centers; diamond; Diamonds; Electrical resistivity; Lasers; Magnetic fields; magnetometry at room temperature; Microelectromechanical systems; microwaves; Nitrogen; NV centers; Optical activity; Physical properties; Point defects; Quantum phenomena; quantum sensing; Quantum sensors; Radiation; Zeeman effect
• ISSN: 2311-5629; 2311-5629
• DOI: 10.3390/c9010016

The physical properties of diamond crystals, such as color or electrical conductivity, can be controlled via impurities. In particular, when doped with nitrogen, optically active nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV), can be induced. The center is an outstanding quantum spin system that enables, under ambient conditions, optical initialization, readout, and coherent microwave control with applications in sensing and quantum information. Under optical and radio frequency excitation, the Zeeman splitting of the degenerate states allows the quantitative measurement of external magnetic fields with high sensitivity. This study provides a pedagogical introduction to the properties of the NV centers as well as a step-by-step process to develop and test a simple magnetic quantum sensor based on color centers with significant potential for the development of highly compact multisensor systems.