Demonstration of microwave sensing over a wide range of frequencies using diamond quantum sensors

What is it about?

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds are attracting attention as microwave sensors with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. In previous applications, the detectable microwave frequencies were limited to a specific range. Although it has been suggested that using a pulse protocol could detect microwave fields across a broader range of frequencies, this approach has not been applied to practical systems. In this study, we applied the pulse protocol to a practical system for the first time and demonstrated its ability to visualize the frequency characteristics of the microwave resonator. Furthermore, we have shown that combining this protocol with advanced pulse sequences can significantly improve its sensitivity.

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Photo by Barbora Dostálová on Unsplash

Photo by Barbora Dostálová on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Techniques capable of precisely measuring microwave fields are essential in various fields. From an engineering perspective, they are used to evaluate microwave devices, while in condensed matter physics, they enable the visualization of spin-wave dynamics in magnetic materials. Particularly in these applications, the ability to measure across a wide frequency range is often crucial. Our application of broadband microwave sensing to a practical system is a valuable foundation for future applications. Furthermore, by demonstrating a protocol that enhances sensitivity, we anticipate that applying this sensing technique to even broader frequency ranges and weaker signals will become feasible.

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