Huxter , Christian L. Degen and John M. E-mail: jabendroth phys. Quantum sensing using optically addressable atomic-scale defects, such as the nitrogen-vacancy NV center in diamond, provides new opportunities for sensitive and highly localized characterization of chemical functionality. Notably, near-surface defects facilitate detection of the minute magnetic fields generated by nuclear or electron spins outside of the diamond crystal, such as those in chemisorbed and physisorbed molecules.
Moreover, applications in the chemical sciences require methods for covalent bonding of target molecules to diamond with robust control over density, orientation, and binding configuration.
This forward-looking Review provides a survey of the rapidly converging fields of diamond surface science and NV-center physics, highlighting their combined potential for quantum sensing of molecules. We outline the diamond surface properties that are advantageous for NV-sensing applications, and discuss strategies to mitigate deleterious effects while simultaneously providing avenues for chemical attachment.
Finally, we present an outlook on emerging applications in which the unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution of NV-based sensing could provide unique insight into chemically functionalized surfaces at the single-molecule level. Erika Janitz. She subsequently obtained her PhD in physics from the group of Lilian Childress at McGill University on the topic of coupling atomic defects in diamond to microscopic optical cavities Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Christian Degen in the physics department of ETH Zurich, where she studies nanoscale NMR with diamond defects.
Konstantin Herb. He worked on high-precision electron spin resonance and on high-resolution NMR spectroscopy using NV centers for his master thesis for which he was awarded an ETH Medal.
