Advanced Circuits for Detection and Control of Diamond Quantum Sensors

Quantum sensors using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) spin colour centres in diamond have made great strides from scientific curiosity towards practical applications. First devices, for example Diamond Scanning Probe microscopes, are on the market. However, large scale applications are limited by the availability of a compact hardware combined with the diamond quantum chip and their cost-effectiveness. ACDC_Q, tackles these challenges by creating a fully integrated system for control and readout of NV centres by making use of semiconductor technology. The project builds upon a first demonstration of this integration (OEAW, Infineon). The device makes use of electrical readout of NV centres, as pioneered by IMEC and developed by the applicants in previous EU projects. Further development of the integrated logic in ACDC_Q will allow controlled excitation and spin manipulation devices. The integration will lead to compact and cost-effective realization, while reaching state-of-the-art performance, comparable to devices constructed on an optical table. The devices will be developed towards commercial applications in magnetometry, including non-destructive evaluation (Kwant-Tek), space magnetometry (IMEC, ASI), and remote monitoring (Thales). The device performance will be calibrated in the precise EU metrology facilities (PTB). By bringing together pioneering academic research with cutting-edge semiconductor industrial processes and leading manufacturers, ACDC_Q will transform diamond sensors from laboratory experiments to prototypes developed to target commercialization.