Skip to content

NV nanodiamond doped fiber for magnetic field mapping

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2023-01-01
JournalEPJ Web of Conferences
AuthorsAdam Filipkowski, Mariusz Mrózek, Grzegorz Stępniewski, Mateusz Ficek, Dariusz Pysz
InstitutionsUniversity of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

This research demonstrates a novel approach to distributed magnetic field sensing by volumetrically incorporating Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) nanodiamonds into the core of an optical fiber.

  • Core Innovation: Achieves distributed magnetic field sensing along a macroscopic fiber length (13 cm section demonstrated) by integrating NV-rich nanodiamonds directly into the 50 ”m fiber core.
  • Remote Readout: Successfully transmits spin state information (NV fluorescence) over the fiber length, enabling remote optical readout of spatially variable magnetic field data at the fiber output.
  • Fabrication Method: Utilizes a modified stack-and-draw fiber development method combined with dip-coating of NV-rich nanodiamonds (750 nm mean size) onto a glass rod.
  • Sensing Mechanism: Magnetic field mapping is achieved by longitudinally scanning a localized microwave (MW) antenna along the fiber, recording Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) spectra at discrete positions.
  • Performance: The sensor achieved a magnetic field sensitivity of 26.6 ”T/√Hz, sufficient to localize the position of an external neodymium magnet source.
  • Future Potential: The methodology is scalable and suggests future improvements through integration of electronic addressing systems to replace physical scanning, significantly shortening measurement time.
ParameterValueUnitContext
Fiber Core Diameter50”mMultimode fiber
Total Fiber Length Used35cmTotal length of the NV-doped fiber
Distributed Sensing Length13cmSection scanned for ODMR mapping
Nanodiamond Particle Size750nmMean particle size (NV-rich diamonds)
Fiber Attenuation50dB/mMeasured at 780 nm wavelength
Excitation Wavelength532nmPump laser wavelength
Fluorescence Collection Range600 to 850nmCollected via high-pass filter
Magnetic Field Sensitivity26.6”T/√HzMeasured performance
ODMR Contrast< 0.1%Low contrast due to localized MW exposure
MW Antenna Width3mmCentral opening width for fiber insertion
Scanning Step Size5mmLongitudinal step size for ODMR recording

The NV nanodiamond-doped fiber was fabricated using a modified stack-and-draw process, and distributed sensing was achieved via longitudinal scanning of the MW field.

  1. Nanodiamond Incorporation: An F2 glass rod (Schott) was coated via dip-coating deposition in a suspension of NV-rich nanodiamond particles (750 nm mean size).
  2. Cane Production: The coated glass rod (30 mm diameter) was drawn down into intermediate canes (0.5 mm diameter).
  3. Preform Assembly: A stack of 790 canes was assembled and drawn into a fiber core preform. This preform was then inserted into a glass tube with a lower refractive index to serve as the cladding.
  4. Final Fiber Drawing: The assembly was drawn into the final multimode fiber, resulting in a 50 ”m core with volumetrically distributed nanodiamonds.
  5. Optical Excitation: The 35 cm fiber was pumped at one end using a 532 nm laser, exciting NV centers along the entire length.
  6. Remote Readout: Fluorescence was collected at the opposite end of the fiber, filtered (600-850 nm), and measured.
  7. Distributed Sensing: A 3 mm wide MW resonant antenna, mounted on a translation stage, was scanned along a 13 cm section of the fiber in 5 mm steps.
  8. Magnetic Field Mapping: A cylindrical neodymium magnet was placed at a fixed position (4 cm distance). ODMR spectra were recorded at each antenna position, and the resulting spectral broadening was used to localize the magnetic field source.

This technology is critical for applications requiring continuous, spatially resolved magnetic field monitoring over extended distances.

  • Quantum Sensing Networks: Development of long-range, distributed sensor arrays for monitoring large-scale infrastructure (e.g., pipelines, power grids) where traditional point sensors are impractical.
  • Spintronics and Magnetic Memory: Providing high-resolution, non-invasive magnetic field mapping necessary for optimizing and controlling magnetic switching operations in advanced memory or quantum computing architectures.
  • Biomagnetism: Potential for creating flexible, high-density magnetic field probes for mapping weak biological fields (e.g., magnetoencephalography or magnetocardiography), provided sensitivity can be scaled toward fT levels.
  • Structural Health Monitoring: Integration into composite materials or structures to detect stress or damage based on changes in local magnetic permeability or induced fields.
  • Security and Surveillance: Creating covert perimeter monitoring systems capable of detecting and localizing magnetic signatures over long distances.
View Original Abstract

The advances in fluorescent diamond-based magnetic field sensors have led this technology into the field of fiber optics. Recently, devices employing diamond nanobeams or diamond chips embedded on an optical fiber tip enabled achieving fT-level sensitivities. Nevertheless, these demonstrations were still confined to operation over localized magnetic field sources. A new approach of volumetric incorporation of nanodiamonds into the optical fiber core enables optical fibers sensitive to magnetic field at any point along the fiber length. We show that information on the perturbed spin state of a diamond nitrogen-vacancy color center can be transmitted over a macroscopic length in an optical fiber, in presence of noise from large concentration of the color centers along the fiber. This is exploited in optical readout at the fiber output not only of the magnetic field value, but also spatially variable information on the field, which enables the localization of its source.