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Diamond Surfaces with Lateral Gradients for Systematic Optimization of Surface Chemistry for Relaxometry - a
Yuchen Tian1, Ari R Ortiz Moreno1, Mayeul Chipaux1,2
1Groningen University, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AW, Netherlands.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|October 18, 2024
Summary
This study presents a new method to test diamond surface chemistry for quantum sensing. Varying surface groups on a single diamond plate revealed their impact on nitrogen vacancy (NV) center performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Quantum Sensing
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Diamond's unique properties make it ideal for sensitive measurements using nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers.
- Optimal sensing requires NV centers near the surface, making surface chemistry critical.
- Previous studies were limited by the cost of suitable diamond samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a systematic method for investigating diverse surface chemistries on a single diamond.
- To correlate varying surface group densities and types with NV center sensing performance.
Main Methods:
- Created a chemical gradient on a diamond plate with shallow NV centers using plasma treatments.
- Utilized a triangular prism shield during low-pressure plasma exposure to control surface modification.
- Employed wide-field relaxometry to analyze the impact of surface chemistry on sensing.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated a continuous gradient of surface oxygen/hydrogen groups.
- Observed variations in relaxation times along the gradient, directly linked to surface chemistry.
- Demonstrated a correlation between surface modification and NV center sensing performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed method allows for efficient, systematic study of diamond surface effects on quantum sensing.
- Surface chemistry significantly influences the performance of NV center-based sensors.
- This approach overcomes limitations of previous studies by using a single diamond sample.
