“Exploitation of impurities in diamonds for nanoscale measurements”

NUMEV seminars are open to a wide audience of students and researchers from all disciplines who wish to learn more about the current research areas of the NUMEV-MIPS community (Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, and Systems) or about opportunities to develop their skills and expertise.

“Exploitation of impurities in diamonds for nanoscalemeasurements”

Isabelle Robert-Philip, CNRS – University of Montpellier, Charles Coulomb Laboratory

Quantum sensors are an emerging family of sensors based on the principles of quantum mechanics. These sensors are attracting growing interest because their performance is likely to exceed that of their conventional counterparts. They use individual quantum objects characterized by extreme sensitivity to their environment. An emblematic quantum object in this field of application is an atomic defect in diamond crystal, known as an "NV center" (for Nitrogen-Vacancy). This defect behaves like an isolated atom, but is embedded in a diamond crystal matrix. During this presentation, we will explain how such a defect can be used to create a high-performance sensor on a nanometric scale to probe magnetic fields, electric fields, deformation, or temperature. We will then illustrate some areas of application for this sensor, such as modern condensed matter, for which these sensors are in the process of being industrialized, and the more exploratory field of biological imaging and medical research.

“Exploiting impurities in diamonds for nanoscale measurements”

Isabelle Robert-Philip, CNRS – University of Montpellier, Charles Coulomb Laboratory

Abstract

Quantum sensors are an emerging family of sensors based on the principles of quantum mechanics. These sensors are attracting growing interest because their performance is likely to surpass that of their classical counterparts. They use individual quantum objects characterized by an extreme sensitivity to their environment. An emblematic quantum object in this field of application is an atomic defect in the diamond crystal, known as the "NV center" (for Nitrogen-Vacancy). This defect behaves like an isolated atom, but is nestled within a diamond crystal matrix. During this presentation, we will introduce how such a defect can be used to create a high-performance sensor at nanoscales, to probe magnetic field, electric field, strain, or temperature. We will then illustrate a few areas of application for this sensor. In particular, we will present two fields of application: modern condensed matter, for which these sensors are in the industrialization phase, and the more exploratory field of biological imaging and medical research.