Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025
Outside the box.
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Engineered diamonds, especially those with nitrogen-vacancy centers, are emerging as essential materials for advanced quantum sensing and future technologies.
Diamonds, far beyond their traditional role as gemstones, are at the forefront of a developing quantum revolution centred on next-generation sensing and quantum technologies.
Scientists have found that by deliberately introducing tiny imperfections into the diamond’s crystal structure — particularly nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres — these materials become extraordinarily sensitive detectors of electromagnetic and quantum phenomena, enabling applications that could reshape multiple industries.
Scientists have found that by deliberately introducing tiny imperfections into the diamond’s crystal structure — particularly nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres — these materials become extraordinarily sensitive detectors of electromagnetic and quantum phenomena, enabling applications that could reshape multiple industries.
Researchers are pioneering “quantum diamonds” that exploit these engineered defects to detect minute magnetic and electric field changes, with potential uses in ultra-precise navigation, medical diagnostics, materials analysis and beyond.
The robust, room-temperature operation of diamond-based quantum devices offers a practical advantage over many other quantum materials that require extreme cooling.
At the core of this technological shift are NV centres in synthetic diamond, in which a nitrogen atom and an adjacent vacancy within the lattice act as quantum sensors.
Changes in the spin states at these defects can be measured with remarkable precision, driven by their interaction with external fields.
Scientists are exploring applications from geological exploration to detecting early signs of disease, where quantum diamond sensors could replace or augment existing tools like electrocardiograms or satellite-dependent navigation systems.
A growing ecosystem of companies and research institutions is now commercialising quantum diamond technology.
Element Six, a subsidiary of De Beers, leads in producing laboratory-grown quantum diamonds, while other firms and research groups, including Quantum Brilliance and academic laboratories, are developing foundries, sensors and processors that leverage diamond’s quantum properties.
Parallel breakthroughs in quantum diamond research are expanding capabilities.
Physicists have demonstrated new interactions of diamond NV centres with engineered photonic structures, which could improve the control and readout of quantum states essential for computing and communication.
Other research has shown how engineered spin ensembles in diamond can deliver enhanced quantum sensing performance, further underscoring diamond’s role as a platform for practical quantum technology.
While full commercial realisation is still unfolding, diamond quantum materials are already accelerating progress toward compact, durable quantum devices that operate at room temperature.
Their sensitivity and resilience position diamonds as foundational components of the next generation of technological innovation, potentially affecting fields from healthcare and defence to navigation and computing.
The robust, room-temperature operation of diamond-based quantum devices offers a practical advantage over many other quantum materials that require extreme cooling.
At the core of this technological shift are NV centres in synthetic diamond, in which a nitrogen atom and an adjacent vacancy within the lattice act as quantum sensors.
Changes in the spin states at these defects can be measured with remarkable precision, driven by their interaction with external fields.
Scientists are exploring applications from geological exploration to detecting early signs of disease, where quantum diamond sensors could replace or augment existing tools like electrocardiograms or satellite-dependent navigation systems.
A growing ecosystem of companies and research institutions is now commercialising quantum diamond technology.
Element Six, a subsidiary of De Beers, leads in producing laboratory-grown quantum diamonds, while other firms and research groups, including Quantum Brilliance and academic laboratories, are developing foundries, sensors and processors that leverage diamond’s quantum properties.
Parallel breakthroughs in quantum diamond research are expanding capabilities.
Physicists have demonstrated new interactions of diamond NV centres with engineered photonic structures, which could improve the control and readout of quantum states essential for computing and communication.
Other research has shown how engineered spin ensembles in diamond can deliver enhanced quantum sensing performance, further underscoring diamond’s role as a platform for practical quantum technology.
While full commercial realisation is still unfolding, diamond quantum materials are already accelerating progress toward compact, durable quantum devices that operate at room temperature.
Their sensitivity and resilience position diamonds as foundational components of the next generation of technological innovation, potentially affecting fields from healthcare and defence to navigation and computing.
