Quantum Accelerator: Towards sub-picotesla quantum diamond magnetometers for Defense
Abstract
Quantum sensors based on atomic defects in diamond are an emerging disruptive technology of significant promise for defence. These systems are being actively pursued for GPS denied navigation, magnetic anomaly detection and trace chemical detection analysis. Diamond-based quantum sensor technology has seen rapid development over the past decade, resulting in large research efforts in government, academic and defence prime industries, and are now one of the most mature platforms allowing for room temperature operation. Nitrogen-vacancy defects (NV) in diamond hold the promise of femtotelsa (10-15 T) magnetic field detection, however the current state-of-the-art sensitivity is ?50 pT/?Hz. One of the biggest challenges in reaching diamond’s full potential is engineering improvements in the sensor material. Our proposal addresses this critical material challenge from a unique perspective. Diamond grown using (111) oriented substrates has been shown to accommodate facile growth of all aligned NV centres, which provides a large boost in signal contrast for magnetometry applications. We predict that if this concept is extended to the growth of bulk, high-NV density samples, including isotopic purity (12C) this could give a step-change in the sensitivity of diamond-based magnetometers, bringing us below the critical sub-pT/?Hz threshold. Our proposal seeks to engineer new diamond sensors that have the potential to break through the sub-pT/?Hz barrier from DC-100Hz. Given the maturity of the sensor technology, these materials could see rapid integration into existing field deployable systems with relative ease.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95502110036
Entities
People
- David A Simpson
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Melbourne