Quantum sensing with diamond defects at extreme conditions

Project “SensExtreme” aims at developing novel, diamond-based quantum sensors which operate at very high magnetic fields (>1 Tesla) and high stresses (> 100 GPa) – a regime of sensing we refer to as “sensing at extreme conditions”. Such sensors are poised to bring advances to various areas of condensed matter physics and quantum technologies. The specific sensors that will be developed are group-IV-vacancy centers in diamond, in particular silicon-vacancy (SiV), germanium-vacancy (GeV), and tin-vacancy (SnV) centers. At the core of the project is the fabrication of shallow defects with superior optical and spin coherence properties. These systems will then be used to demonstrate two proof-of-concept sensing protocols which overcome limitations of existing quantum sensing technologies. Along with the experimental demonstrations of these protocols, project SensExtreme will yield new knowledge about fundamental properties of solid-state defect centers under extreme conditions, expanding the general knowledge of diamond as a quantum material. The consortium consists of six partners from France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, and Switzerland.

SEM images of diamond nanopillars hosting silicon-vacancy centers (inset).

CONSORTIUM

• Coordinator: Jean-François Roch (Ecole Normale Supérieure, FR) in the role of Project Coordinator from October 2023,
  Audrius Alkauskas (Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, LT) in the role of Project Coordinator from April 2022 untill May 2023
• Christoph Becher (Saarland University, DE)
• Alexander Kubanek (Ulm University, DE)
• Adam Gali (Wigner Research Center for Physics, HU)
• Lukas Razinkovas (Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, LT)
• Patrick Maletinsky (University of Basel, CH)

PROJECT POSTER: SensExtreme