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Research Highlights

Simultaneously Detecting Magnetic Field and Temperature with Quantum Diamond Sensor

  • Writerkrissadmin
  • Date2022-04-01 00:00
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Simultaneously Detecting Magnetic Field 

and Temperature with Quantum Diamond Sensor


- Multiplexed sensing technology operating in daily environment has wide applicability. -



KRISS has developed a quantum diamond sensor capable of precisely measuring magnetic field and temperature changes.


Unlike other types of quantum sensors, the diamond sensor operates without cryogenic and magnetic shielding, namely in a living environment. Also, it can image the distribution of magnetic field and temperature in microscale. This new technology is expected to make contributions to the cutting-edge industries in Korea. 


▲ A KRISS Researcher is conducting the self-imaging experiment with the quantum diamond censor.  


A ‘nitrogen-vacancy defect,’** has quantum spin*. When they are produced in a pure diamond, the diamond functions as a quantum sensor. The precise control of the quantum spin in the ‘nitrogen-vacancy defect’ enables sensing small changes of the external environment.


*Quantum spin: Spin is a physical quantity of an electron. The classical analogy of spin is a magnet. Spin-up state can be represented as “0” while spin-down “1”. Quantum mechanics can explain the time-dependent change of the spin states.

**Nitrogen-vacancy defect: Nitrogen is the most common impurity in diamonds. For some reasons, a carbon atom consisting of a diamond lattice may fail to occupy its right location, which is named vacancy. When a vacancy mates with a nitrogen, a ‘nitrogen-vacancy defect’ is formed.


The property of diamond is crucial for a highly-sensitive sensor. The research team investigated the diamonds produced under various conditions, and only the diamonds that has nitrogen concentrations below a certain level were selected. For the optimal performance out of the selected diamonds, the research team devised optical and microwave technologies that are more advanced than the previous studies.


▲The quantum diamond sensor measures magnetic field and temperature. 


The developed quantum diamond sensor is capable of measuring magnetic field at a precision of tens of pT (pico Tesla), which is about 1 millionth of the Earth’s magnetic field, and measuring temperature at a precision of tens of μK (micro Kelvin), which is a millionth of the human body temperature. In addition, with the multiplexed sensing technology, implemented by the research team, magnetic field and temperature change can be sensed simultaneously by using a single sensor. 


The developed sensor can be highly useful in the diagnosis of an object that undergoes a composite change of magnetic field and temperature. Representative examples may include semiconductor devices and lithium-ion batteries; The migration of electrons and ions induces heat and magnetic field production. The damage to the membrane in a battery is invisible from the outside. So, early detection of the heat or the magnetic field caused by the membrane damage using the quantum diamond sensor will help prevent safety accidents.


▲KRISS Researchers are conducting the experiment 

to test the performance of an electron microscope applied the quantum diamond censor. 


The diamond sensor was developed by the Quantum Magnetic Imaging Team at KRISS. Nanophotonic analysis was performed in collaboration with Professor Kwang-Geol Lee’s group at Hanyang University and the theoretical analysis with the QTC (Quantum Technology Center) research group at University of Maryland, US.


Dr. Shim, the leader of the Quantum Magnetic Imaging Team at KRISS, explains, “The precision of the diamond quantum sensor that we developed through the research is close to the world’s highest level. We will conduct further research for a miniaturized diamond sensor suitable for commercialization.”


The research was supported by the Key Research Program of KRISS and the Quantum Sensor Core Technology Development Program funded by the Institute for Information & Communication Technology Planning & Evaluation. The results of the research were published in Physical Review Applied, in last January.


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