Diamonds — The Future of Quantum

Color centers in diamond turn quantum spin physics into measurable signals.

This site walks through the fundamental ideas of quantum sensing using visualizations, interactive demos, and lab demonstration videos.

Explore DemosHow it Works
Research Focus

NV Centers for Precision Sensing

Nitrogen–vacancy (NV) defects in diamond enable optical readout of spin states at or near room temperature, offering a robust platform for nanoscale magnetometry, thermometry, and radiation-hard sensing.

Why NV Centers?

Spin physics with photons

NV centers are atomic-scale defects in diamond whose electron spin can be initialized, driven, and read out optically. That combination enables quantitative sensing with strong spatial locality and high environmental robustness.

Optical spin readout (ODMR)
core
Spin state changes fluorescence, turning a quantum degree of freedom into a measurable optical signal.
    Nanoscale magnetometry
    application
    Magnetic fields shift resonance frequencies (Zeeman effect), enabling local B-field mapping.
      Thermometry and environment sensing
      application
      Temperature and lattice effects perturb the spin Hamiltonian, enabling quantitative sensing beyond B-fields.
        Radiation & defect engineering
        application
        Diamond’s robustness supports irradiation studies and dosimetry concepts based on defect populations and charge dynamics.
          Learn about NV Centers
          NV Center Primer

          This site is a learning hub for quantum sensing!

          This site introduces and explains the fundamental knowledge needed for quantum sensing using diamond. Through interactive simulations, real-world videos, and in-depth visualizations, the Q-Diamond handbook will provide the reader all they need to begin work in their own lab. Below is a quick example of a visualization from the handbook!

          NV Center LatticeStylized diamond lattice with nitrogen, vacancy, and demonstrations of strain, temperature, magnetic field, and vacancy creation.VNNeBANNEALINGVCarbon (C)Nitrogen (N)Vacancy (V)Electron (e)
          NV Center (Intro)
          An NV center is a nitrogen–vacancy defect in diamond: one carbon is replaced by nitrogen (N) and a neighboring site is empty (V).
          Demos & Videos

          Learn the Lab & Watch NV Imaging

          Sections in the handbook include real-world videos, data recording, etc. for maximum understanding!

          Learn the Lab

          Quick walk-through of optical path. The system has probably changed since this video was recorded!

          Imaging a single NV center

          Imaging an NV Center

          Confocal scan loop-photon counts reveal a single NV site.

          Collaborations & People

          Credit & Partners

          This work is possible thanks to individuals and institutions who support open, careful science.

          The Ohio State University

          Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering