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6CCVD Research

Battery Characterization via Eddy-Current Imaging with Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond

At a Glance

Section titled “At a Glance”
MetadataDetails
Publication Date2021-03-30
JournalApplied Sciences
AuthorsXue Zhang, Georgios Chatzidrosos, Yinan Hu, Huijie Zheng, Arne Wickenbrock
InstitutionsNew York University, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
Citations25
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: NV-Center Eddy-Current Imaging for Battery Diagnostics

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: NV-Center Eddy-Current Imaging for Battery Diagnostics”

Executive Summary

Section titled “Executive Summary”

This research demonstrates a highly sensitive, non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for solid-state batteries using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. 6CCVD specializes in providing the high-purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) materials necessary to replicate and advance this quantum sensing application.

  • Core Achievement: Successful microwave-free AC magnetometry using NV-P1 cross-relaxation (51.2 mT) to image internal structural anomalies (impurities, crevices) in a solid-state battery.
  • High Sensitivity: The sensor achieved a magnetic sensitivity of 40 nT / √Hz with a 100 kHz bandwidth, suitable for detecting subtle eddy currents induced by defects.
  • Spatial Resolution: A spatial resolution of 360 ± 2 ”m was achieved, limited primarily by the distance between the diamond sensor and the battery sample (0.1 mm).
  • Material Requirement: The experiment utilized a Type-Ib, (111)-cut diamond, subsequently irradiated and annealed to create NV ensembles.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD provides superior MPCVD Optical Grade SCD, offering ultra-low nitrogen content and precise thickness control (down to 0.1 ”m) necessary to maximize NV coherence and improve spatial resolution, addressing the limitations noted in the paper.
  • Application: Critical diagnostic tool for identifying and localizing defects in rechargeable solid-state batteries, supporting battery assessment and development.

Technical Specifications

Section titled “Technical Specifications”

The following hard data points were extracted from the research paper detailing the performance of the NV-center eddy-current imaging system:

ParameterValueUnitContext
Spatial Resolution (FWHM)360 ± 2”mLimited by sensor-sample distance (0.1 mm)
Magnetic Sensitivity40nT / √HzMeasured with 100 kHz bandwidth
NV-P1 Cross-Relaxation Field51.2mTOperating bias magnetic field
Working Point Field52.5mTField chosen for AC magnetic signal detection
Modulation Frequency Range1 to 40kHzFrequencies used for battery imaging
Maximum Induced Magnetic Field0.04mTGenerated by external electrode at 5 kHz
Maximum Induced Phase Shift0.03radGenerated by external electrode at 5 kHz
Diamond Dimensions3.0 x 3.0 x 0.4mmÂłType-Ib, (111)-cut sample
Initial Nitrogen Concentration< 110ppmPrior to electron irradiation
NV-P1 Temperature Shift-1.34”T/KExpected shift at room temperature

Key Methodologies

Section titled “Key Methodologies”

The experiment utilized a specialized diamond material and a microwave-free AC magnetometry setup to perform non-destructive eddy-current imaging.

  1. Diamond Material Preparation: A Type-Ib, (111)-cut diamond (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.4 mmÂł) with an initial nitrogen concentration of < 110 ppm was selected.
  2. NV Center Creation: The diamond was subjected to electron irradiation and subsequent annealing to convert substitutional nitrogen (P1 centers) into negatively charged NV centers.
  3. Optical Pumping: Continuous-wave green laser light (532 nm) was used for continuous optical pumping and subsequent detection of red photoluminescence (PL).
  4. Magnetic Field Control: A custom electromagnet provided a stable background field, setting the working point at 52.5 mT to exploit the narrow NV-P1 cross-relaxation feature.
  5. AC Modulation: A 5-turn copper RF coil (0.1 mm diameter) provided the alternating magnetic field (modulation depth 0.48 mT) used to induce eddy currents in the battery.
  6. Signal Detection: A lock-in amplifier (LIA) detected the amplitude (R) and phase ($\theta$) of the PL modulation, demodulated at the reference frequency (1 kHz to 40 kHz).
  7. NDE Imaging: A 3D translation stage scanned the solid-state battery (placed 0.1 mm from the diamond) to generate spatially resolved maps of the secondary magnetic field induced by the eddy currents.

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

Section titled “6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities”

6CCVD provides the high-performance MPCVD diamond substrates and customization services required to optimize and scale NV-center magnetometry for advanced NDE applications like battery diagnostics.

Research Requirement / Challenge6CCVD Solution & Advantage
Applicable Materials: High-purity diamond for controlled NV ensemble creation.Optical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD): We supply ultra-low nitrogen MPCVD SCD, offering superior purity and crystalline quality compared to the Type-Ib HPHT material used. This enables precise control over P1 center concentration, maximizing NV density and extending coherence times for enhanced sensitivity (40 nT / √Hz or better).
Custom Dimensions & Orientation: Need for specific (111) orientation and small dimensions (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.4 mm³).Precision Fabrication: 6CCVD provides custom-cut (111)-oriented SCD wafers. We offer thickness control from 0.1 ”m up to 500 ”m, and plates/wafers up to 125 mm (PCD).
Customization Potential: Need to improve spatial resolution by reducing sensor-sample distance (limited by diamond thickness).Ultra-Thin SCD Wafers: The paper explicitly suggests using a thinner diamond sample to improve resolution. 6CCVD specializes in polishing SCD to thicknesses as low as 100 nm (0.1 ”m), allowing for sub-micron proximity and significantly improving the 360 ”m spatial resolution achieved in this work.
Surface Quality for Implantation: Need for high-quality surfaces for potential future shallow NV implantation.Atomic-Scale Polishing: Our SCD wafers feature ultra-low surface roughness (Ra < 1 nm), ideal for subsequent electron irradiation or ion implantation processes required to create near-surface NV layers.
Integration of RF Coils: Need for precise RF modulation field generation.In-House Metalization Services: 6CCVD offers internal metalization capabilities (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu). We can deposit custom metal patterns directly onto the diamond surface to create integrated on-chip RF coils, eliminating the need for external copper wire wrapping and improving field homogeneity and experimental stability.
Engineering Support: Need for expertise in quantum sensing material selection.Expert Consultation: 6CCVD’s in-house PhD team provides authoritative engineering support for projects focused on NV-Center Magnetometry, Eddy-Current Imaging, and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). We assist researchers in selecting the optimal diamond grade, orientation, and thickness for specific quantum sensing requirements.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly. Global shipping (DDU default, DDP available) ensures rapid delivery worldwide.

View Original Abstract

Sensitive and accurate diagnostic technologies with magnetic sensors are of great importance for identifying and localizing defects of rechargeable solid batteries using noninvasive detection. We demonstrate a microwave-free alternating current (AC) magnetometry method with negatively charged NV centers in diamond based on a cross-relaxation feature between nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers and individual substitutional nitrogen (P1) centers occurring at 51.2 mT. We apply the technique to non-destructively image solid-state batteries. By detecting the eddy-current-induced magnetic field of the battery, we distinguish a defect on the external electrode and identify structural anomalies within the battery body. The achieved spatial resolution is ΌΌΌ360Όm. The maximum magnetic field and phase shift generated by the battery at the modulation frequency of 5 kHz are estimated as 0.04 mT and 0.03 rad respectively.

Tech Support

Section titled “Tech Support”

Original Source

Section titled “Original Source”

References

Section titled “References”
  1. 2016 - Microwave-free magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond [Crossref]
  2. 2013 - Nanometer scale thermometry in a living cell [Crossref]
  3. 2014 - Dynamic strain-mediated coupling of a single diamond spin to a mechanical resonator [Crossref]
  4. 2012 - Stable three-axis nuclear-spin gyroscope in diamond [Crossref]
  5. 2012 - Gyroscopes based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond [Crossref]
  6. 2011 - Electric-field sensing using single diamond spins [Crossref]
  7. 2014 - Magnetic induction tomography using an all-optical 87Rb atomic magnetometer [Crossref]
  8. 2016 - Electromagnetic induction imaging with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer [Crossref]
  9. 2016 - Microwave-free magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond [Crossref]

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