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Diamond spin quantum sensing under extreme conditions

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2022-01-01
JournalActa Physica Sinica
AuthorsGang‐Qin Liu
Citations3
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation: Diamond Spin Quantum Sensing Under Extreme Conditions

Section titled “Technical Documentation: Diamond Spin Quantum Sensing Under Extreme Conditions”

Reference: Liu Gang-Qin. Diamond spin quantum sensing under extreme conditions. Acta Physica Sinica, 71, 066101 (2022). DOI: 10.7498/aps.71.20212072.


This technical analysis summarizes the capabilities of diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers as robust quantum sensors operating across extreme environmental parameters, highlighting the critical role of high-purity CVD diamond materials.

  • Ultra-Wide Operating Range: NV centers demonstrate stable quantum sensing capabilities across extreme conditions, including cryogenic temperatures (down to 3.7 K), high temperatures (up to 1000 K), strong magnetic fields (up to 8 T), and ultra-high pressures (up to 60 GPa).
  • Material Purity is Paramount: Achieving long spin coherence times ($T_1$ up to 1 hour at 3.7 K) is directly dependent on the use of ultra-high purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) with minimized paramagnetic impurities (P1 centers).
  • Multi-Parameter Sensing: The NV center’s spin state is highly sensitive to magnetic fields, temperature, and pressure, enabling high-resolution magnetometry, thermometry, and piezometry at the nanoscale.
  • High-Pressure Integration: Diamond Anvil Cells (DACs) are utilized for high-pressure experiments, requiring specialized, high-quality diamond substrates capable of withstanding extreme mechanical stress.
  • Integrated Microwave Control: Successful quantum control under strong magnetic fields (e.g., 3 T) necessitates integrated microwave delivery systems, often implemented via custom metalization (e.g., Coplanar Waveguides) directly patterned onto the diamond surface.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD provides the necessary Optical Grade SCD materials, custom dimensions, and integrated metalization services required to replicate and advance this frontier research in solid-state quantum sensing.

The following table summarizes key performance metrics and operating parameters demonstrated for diamond NV center quantum sensing under extreme conditions, as reviewed in the referenced paper.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Maximum Operating Temperature1000KDemonstrated ODMR and Rabi oscillations (938 K)
Minimum Operating Temperature3.7KDemonstrated $T_1$ spin relaxation time measurement
Maximum Operating Pressure60GPaDemonstrated ZPL shift and ODMR splitting
Maximum Operating Magnetic Field8TDemonstrated ODMR spectrum measurement
Spin Relaxation Time (T1)1hourAchieved at 3.7 K in ultra-high purity SCD
Zero-Field Splitting (D)2.87GHzRoom temperature, ambient pressure
D-Parameter Pressure Coupling14.58MHz/GPaLinear dependence up to 60 GPa
Magnetic Field Sensitivity (NV)2.8MHz/GCoupling coefficient
Zero-Phonon Line (ZPL) Pressure Shift5.75meV/GPaLinear blue shift
NMR Spectral Resolution (3 T)1mHzAchieved for 14N nuclear spin

The successful implementation of diamond NV quantum sensing under extreme conditions relies on precise material engineering and advanced control techniques:

  1. Ultra-High Purity Material Selection: Use of Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) with extremely low concentrations of nitrogen impurities (P1 centers) to minimize spin noise and maximize the electron spin coherence time ($T_1$ and $T_2$).
  2. Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR): Utilizing 532 nm green laser excitation for NV center initialization (pumping to $m_s = 0$) and fluorescence measurement for spin state readout.
  3. Microwave Spin Control: Application of high-frequency RF/Microwave pulses to drive coherent spin manipulation (Rabi oscillations, Spin Echo sequences). Frequencies must be tuned to match the zero-field splitting (D) and Zeeman shift, requiring up to 85 GHz for 3 T fields.
  4. High-Pressure Generation: Employing specialized diamond substrates within Diamond Anvil Cells (DACs) to generate hydrostatic pressures up to 60 GPa for piezometry and phase transition studies.
  5. In-Situ High-Temperature Control: Using secondary laser heating (e.g., 808 nm NIR) for rapid, localized temperature control up to 1000 K, enabling ODMR measurements in high-temperature environments.
  6. Integrated Microwave Delivery: Fabricating Coplanar Waveguides (CPW) or patch antennas directly onto the diamond surface using metalization techniques (e.g., Ti/Pt/Au) to efficiently deliver high-power microwave signals to the NV centers, especially critical in strong magnetic fields.

The research reviewed demonstrates that the performance limits of NV quantum sensing are intrinsically linked to the quality and customization of the diamond material. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the high-specification CVD diamond required for replicating and extending this research into new applications.

To achieve the long coherence times ($T_1$ and $T_2$) and high sensitivity required for extreme condition sensing, researchers must utilize the highest purity diamond available.

Research Requirement6CCVD Material SolutionKey Specification Match
Ultra-low P1 Center ConcentrationOptical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD)Engineered for quantum applications; minimizes spin noise and maximizes $T_1$ coherence.
High-Pressure Substrates (DACs)SCD Substrates (up to 10 mm thick)Provides robust, transparent anvils for high-pressure experiments up to 60 GPa.
Large-Area Sensing / RobustnessHigh-Purity Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD)Available in plates/wafers up to 125 mm, suitable for large-scale sensor arrays or robust thermal management applications.
Integrated Sensing CircuitsBoron-Doped Diamond (BDD)Can be utilized for integrated electrical contacts or resistive heating elements in high-temperature/high-pressure setups.

6CCVD’s in-house fabrication and processing capabilities directly address the complex integration challenges inherent in extreme condition quantum sensing:

  • Custom Dimensions and Thickness: We provide SCD and PCD plates/wafers in custom dimensions up to 125 mm (PCD) and thicknesses ranging from 0.1 ”m to 500 ”m (SCD/PCD), allowing precise integration into specialized apparatus like DACs or cryostats.
  • Integrated Metalization Services: The use of Coplanar Waveguides (CPW) for microwave delivery is critical in strong magnetic fields. 6CCVD offers internal metalization capabilities, including deposition of Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, and Cu, allowing researchers to integrate microwave circuits directly onto the diamond surface for optimal coupling efficiency.
  • Ultra-Smooth Surface Finish: Nanoscale sensing (e.g., scanning NV magnetometry) requires pristine surfaces. Our advanced polishing achieves surface roughness of Ra < 1 nm for SCD and Ra < 5 nm for inch-size PCD, ensuring minimal surface noise and optimal proximity to the sample.
  • Global Logistics Support: We offer reliable global shipping (DDU default, DDP available) to ensure sensitive materials reach your laboratory worldwide efficiently.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in the material science of CVD diamond for quantum applications. We offer consultation services to assist researchers in selecting the optimal diamond grade, orientation, and surface preparation for projects involving:

  • High-Resolution Magnetometry
  • Extreme Condition Thermometry (1000 K)
  • High-Pressure Piezometry (60 GPa)
  • Integrated Quantum Devices

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Extreme conditions, such as ultra-low temperatures, high pressures, and strong magnetic fields, are critical to producing and studying exotic states of matter. To measure physical properties under extreme conditions, the advanced sensing schemes are required. As a promising quantum sensor, the diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center can detect magnetic field, electronic field, pressure, and temperature with high sensitivity. Considering its nanoscale spatial resolution and ultra-wide working range, the diamond quantum sensing can play an important role in frontier studies involving extreme conditions. This paper reviews the spin and optical properties of diamond NV center under extreme conditions, including low temperature, high temperature, zero field, strong magnetic fields, and high pressures. The opportunities and challenges of diamond quantum sensing under extreme conditions are discussed. The basic knowledge of spin-based quantum sensing and its applications under extreme conditions are also covered.