Diamonds as Quantum Sensors: A New Era in Technology
Approximately 80 years ago, the company "De Beers" popularized the phrase: "A diamond is forever".
Today, this saying has taken on a new significance as diamonds transition from symbols of beauty and durability to scientific tools that could dramatically alter our lives.
Physicists have discovered that introducing minute "defects" into the flawless crystal structure of diamonds transforms them into ultra-sensitive sensors capable of detecting atomic-level physical phenomena, including brain wave readings, satellite-free navigation, and rapid disease diagnostics.
These advancements are part of what scientists refer to as the "second quantum revolution", a new phase following a century since the establishment of quantum mechanics by German physicist Werner Heisenberg.
While the first revolution revolutionized electronics and lasers, the second focuses on the precise control of quantum phenomena, unlocking vast potential applications in computing, cryptography, and detection.
Interestingly, this scientific revolution coincides with a downturn in the natural diamond market since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a decline in sales in favor of cheaper synthetic stones from China.
However, companies like Element Six, a subsidiary of "De Beers", are betting on the "technology diamond" to revitalize the industry, particularly in quantum fields.
The journey began two decades ago with the discovery of a natural pink diamond in Siberia, dubbed "the Russian wonder" for its ability to maintain a quantum state at room temperature.
Faced with the challenge of finding similar stones, researchers succeeded in creating quantum diamonds in laboratories by introducing "nitrogen-vacancy centers", where two carbon atoms are replaced by one nitrogen atom and a vacancy.
These centers act as precise compasses that detect magnetic changes, as the electron alters its quantum state based on surrounding fields, enabling the diamond to sense subtle changes, such as the movement of a car from 100 meters away and behind thick walls.
* Potential applications are remarkable:
• Satellite-free aerial navigation by creating a magnetic map of the Earth to avoid satellite interference.
• Geological exploration to identify minerals by reading magnetic changes.
• Medicine, where quantum detection devices could replace traditional electrocardiograms and identify viruses like COVID-19 and HIV at early stages, with sensitivity surpassing rapid tests by a factor of a thousand, according to a recent study in Nature Communications.
• Brain-machine interfaces, allowing users to control devices solely through thought, within a market valued at $5 billion.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain, notably the integration of diamonds with silicon-based electronics.
However, the advantage of diamonds is their functionality at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, making them ideal for sensors rather than large-scale quantum computing.
Global companies such as Element Six, Australia’s Quantum Brilliance, and Germany’s Quantum Diamonds are competing to develop this technology, while experts believe the next decade will determine whether diamonds remain mere gemstones or evolve into the cornerstone of a new scientific revolution.
