Progress in Sensor Technology Based On The Latest Research On Diamond

The highly integrated vector magnetometer developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF) utilizes nitrogen vacancies (NV) in diamond to detect extremely small magnetic fields, which were previously unattainable in terms of flexibility and accuracy.

 

This miniature measurement system opens up new possibilities for applications that require high-precision readings and minimal interference, such as biochemical analysis of neural pathways and precision measurements in microelectronics.

 

The unique feature of the NV vector magnetometer based on diamond lies in its native and intuitive functionality, which enables it to accurately measure the vector components of the Earth's magnetic field under most working conditions. This makes the sensor not only a technological innovation, but also a significant advancement in sensor technology, "explained Dr. Michael Stoebe, Manager of the Quantum Devices Business Unit at Fraunhofer IAF.

 

The unique property of NV centers arranged along four crystal axes in the diamond lattice makes it possible to detect all vector components of the magnetic field using a single sensor chip made of<100>diamond.

 

This significantly reduces the need for complex calibration and expands the potential application range, surpassing the limitations of traditional magnetometers. This sensor is revolutionizing research in multiple fields, marking a significant advancement in the development of more accurate and efficient measurement technologies.

 

Researchers at the Fraunhofer IAF Institute have successfully reduced the size of its integrated quantum magnetometer by 30 times in just one year. Nowadays, sensor heads are more compact, with dimensions comparable to traditional optically pumped chamber magnetometers (OPMs) commonly used in the industry, while maintaining high sensitivity at the Petra level. This diamond based system has significant advantages over competing technologies due to its durability and wide measurement range, making it highly adaptable to various measurement scenarios with minimal calibration required.

 

We are working hard to achieve higher integration density while improving sensitivity. Our goal next year is to shrink the sensor size by 5 times again, while further improving sensitivity to achieve measurements within the range of Epitesla, "emphasized Dr. Michael Stoebe.

 

A key feature of the integrated quantum magnetometer developed by Fraunhofer IAF is its optional water cooling function, which enables stable and reliable magnetic field measurements even under harsh operating conditions. The flexibility of this design and integration makes the latest sensor prototype of this research institute located in Freiburg stand out.

 

We adopt an application-oriented approach to continuously develop our sensor system and meet personalized requirements for our system, "said Dr. Michael Kunzer, project manager of Fraunhofer IAF.

 

In addition to system improvements, Fraunhofer IAF is also enhancing the core component of the sensor - the nitrogen vacancy (NV) doped diamond sensing head. This synthetic diamond is grown in the institute's dedicated reactor and transformed into quantum devices by precisely replacing carbon atoms with nitrogen atoms. At present, the research institute plans to expand the current two inch ultra pure diamond chips to four inch chips next year to achieve industrial scale production.

 

Although today's navigation systems have high accuracy and wide coverage, they are often susceptible to interference and may not be available in all places. Therefore, alternative navigation methods that operate independently of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are becoming increasingly important.

 

The Earth's magnetic field is a promising foundation as it exhibits regional differences and can be used as an invisible map for autonomous navigation, especially in areas where GPS signals are interrupted or difficult to receive.

 

The quantum sensor developed by Fraunhofer IAF can create a comprehensive magnetic field map and provide reliable navigation based on it. The vector magnetometer provides an autonomous and interference free global positioning and navigation method. It can supplement satellite navigation and work without satellite signals, such as underwater, canyons, underground, inside buildings or tunnels.

 

The quantum magnetometer developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Physics (IAF) can accurately and non-contact locate underground mineral deposits, thereby obtaining valuable resources. It can also detect large areas of unexploded ordnance, significantly reducing the risk to residents in affected areas.