DC Magnetometer Based on Ensembles of Nitrogen Vacancy Centers in Diamond

Abstract

The solid spin of ensembles of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond offers unique features to be employed as atomic-scale sensors for detection of weak magnetic field. Here, we mainly demonstrate two types of DC magnetometer based on ensembles of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond with the method of analyzing optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra and microwave frequency modulation technology, respectively and experimentally. Firstly, we demonstrate ODMR spectra and resonance frequency of ODMR with the various external magnetic field magnitudes applied to the NV centers in diamond. The minimum detectable magnetic field of the magnetometer is 0.0498 Gauss, and a magnetic sensitivity of 5.22 μT/Hz obtained with the analysis of ODMR spectra. Further, we utilize microwave frequency modulation technology and analyze the power spectra of noise of demodulated signal of the Lock in Amplifier. The sensitivity of the magnetometer can reach as low as 14.3 nT/Hz with microwave frequency modulation. This study lays a foundation for the advancement of magnetic detection research with higher sensitivity based on ensembles of NV centers.