Optically Addressable NV Centers for Quantum Sensing

Amaria Javed (NYU Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract: This talk presents our ongoing work on NV-diamond-based quantum sensing at the Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS) at NYU Abu Dhabi, with a focus on optical techniques for spin state readout and signal enhancement. Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are point defects that serve as atomic-scale quantum sensors, offering remarkable sensitivity to magnetic and electric fields, temperature, and strain. These color centers exhibit spin-dependent fluorescence under green laser excitation, enabling optical initialization and readout of their quantum state even at room temperature.
At the core of our experimental approach is Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR), a technique that uses changes in NV center fluorescence to measure shifts in spin transitions, revealing information about the surrounding environment. We are currently building a custom NV-based sensing setup, which involves laser excitation at 532 nm, microwave control of spin transitions, and efficient fluorescence detection via optical filters and photodetectors.
Our work aims to optimize the optical alignment, fluorescence collection efficiency, and stability of the system for robust quantum sensing applications. We explore methods to enhance contrast in ODMR spectra, increase sensitivity, and suppress background noise, which are critical for real-time, high-resolution measurements. These efforts lay the foundation for emerging applications in nanoscale magnetometry, bioimaging, materials characterization, and lab-on-a-chip sensing technologies.
This presentation will give an overview of the NV center’s optical properties, practical design considerations in setting up an ODMR experiment, and the broader role of photonics in quantum sensing.