Nanofabrication and Spin Addressing for Industrial Quantum Magnetometry

Crystal defects in diamonds represent the most promising quantum sensors for room-temperature operation, offering the ability to measure properties like temperature, pressure, and electromagnetic fields with extreme precision. This technique holds exciting potential applications in physics, neurobiology, the mining industry, and the detection of improvised explosive devices. However, the few commercial systems based on this advanced technology struggle to compete with non-quantum alternatives in terms of sensitivity, despite theoretical predictions suggesting they could be millions of times more efficient.

The project aims to integrate and miniaturize quantum magnetic sensing technology on integrated chips to achieve technological maturity, enabling mass production compatible with the existing semiconductor industry. This Mitacs initiative focuses on the technology transfer of two critical aspects of this platform: 1) A microwave spin addressing scheme to enable a drift-free system ready for deployment in mineral prospecting and space applications. 2) To bring diamond microchip nanofabrication to a maturity level enabling a high quality and high yield manufacture. This groundbreaking project has the potential to transform the quantum sensing landscape in Canada by significantly improving the sensitivity, cost, size, energy efficiency, and application scope of magnetic sensors.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dominique Drouin

Student:

Partner:

Université de Strasbourg

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: