quantum-sensing
We are Recruiting!
Open positions for BSc, MSc, PhD students, and Postdocs.
Fully funded positions available
immediately.
Quantum Sensing Laboratory
Developing NV-diamond quantum sensors for nanoscale magnetometry and micro-NMR in ambient conditions.
We are using ensembles of NV centers to detect magnetic fields with high sensitivity at room temperature.
Sculpting diamond into pillars and gratings to maximize light collection and efficiency.
Integrated "lab-on-a-chip" sensors for detecting chemical composition of microscopic volumes.
The Quantum Sensor
The core of our research is the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center in diamond. This atomic defect acts as a single "spin" system—essentially a tiny compass needle—that can be manipulated using microwave pulses and read out using laser light.
Because the NV center is protected by the diamond lattice, it retains its quantum properties even at room temperature. This allows us to use it as an ultra-sensitive magnetometer.
- Room Temperature: Operates in ambient conditions (no cryogenics required).
- Optical Readout: We use green lasers to initialize and red fluorescence to read the state.
- Atomic Resolution: The sensor itself is the size of a single atom.
Setup Schematic: Green laser light initializes the sensor, and spin-dependent fluorescence reveals the magnetic environment.
Nanostructuring & Fabrication
To get the sensor close enough to the sample (nanometers away), we cannot use standard bulk diamonds. We need to sculpt the diamond into functional nanostructures—such as nanopillars or gratings—that guide light efficiently and allow for precise positioning.
We work closely with the group of Prof. Alexander Kromka at the Institute of Physics (FZU).
- CVD Growth: Growing high-purity single crystal diamond.
- Nanofabrication: Etching diamond into photonic structures.
- Surface Termination: Controlling surface chemistry to protect quantum spins.
The Experiment
Our goal is to build a compact, integrated platform for Micro-NMR. Conventional NMR requires massive superconducting magnets. By using NV centers, we are developing a system that can detect the chemical composition of thin films or even single molecules using permanent magnets on a table-top.
For Students: What will you do?
This is a hands-on "table-top" experiment. You will not just analyze data; you will build the machine. Students in our lab gain skills in:
- Optical Engineering: Aligning confocal microscopes and laser systems.
- Microwave Electronics: Building RF circuits for spin manipulation (ODMR).
- Hardware Control: Interfacing instruments using Python.
- Nanofabrication: Designing diamond chips (cleanroom experience).
- Data Analysis: Signal processing and quantum simulation.
