SBIR-STTR Award

Ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond allow the detection of weak magnetic fields under ambient conditions, with wide-ranging applications in the physical and life sciences. We have previously demonstrated high-sensitivity and high-resolution NV-diamond magnetic field imaging devices in a university laboratory setting. The proposed SBIR project will transition these research results into commercial applications. The proposed diamond magnetic field imager will operate in a scanning-confocal mode, and be applicable to both physical science samples and biological systems. In Task 1 we will design a robust-packaged diamond magnetic field imager capable of meeting the following performance goals for a Phase II instrument: spatial resolution<300 nm, AC magnetic field sensitivity<10 nT/Hz1/2, and field-of-view ~1 mm. In Task 2 we will assess techniques to realize spatial resolution<100 nm for the Phase II instrument. In the Phase I Option we will update the Phase II instrument design to provide spatial resolution<100 nm and assess potential Phase III applications of a fieldable instrument. A commercialization strategy and technology transition plan is also presented.

Keywords:
Nitrogen-vacancy, diamond, magnetic field, imaging, sub-micron

Ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond allow the detection of weak magnetic fields under ambient conditions, with wide-ranging applications in the physical and life sciences. The proposed SBIR project will transition to commercial readiness the high-sensitivity and high-resolution NV-diamond magnetic field imaging devices previously demonstrated in a university laboratory setting. We will develop a prototype diamond magnetic field imager that is broadly applicable to a wide range of magnetic systems, including solids with magnetic microstructure and biological samples in liquid. The prototype goal is a robust-packaged imager with sub-micron magnetic field resolution over a field of view area of 1000 um^2, with DC field sensitivity below 100 uT/sqrt(Hz) over 1 um^2. This instrument will stand apart from other magnetic imaging techniques for its combination of rapid imaging, high resolution, and high sensitivity at low cost, and will complement or replace other technologies for government, military, university, and industry users.