Quantum sensor for measuring deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio in water using NV centers

In this presentation, we will introduce our proposed compact chip-scale nano-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) sensors designed to measure the D/H ratio in water. This ratio is critical for tracing the origins of water, allowing us to distinguish between sources such as comets, asteroids, solar wind implantation, or outgassing from a moon's interior. This research aims to uncover new insights into the early history of the moons and inner planets. Our sensor's core technology relies on color defects in diamonds, specifically NV (Nitrogen-Vacancy) centers. These sensors are inherently robust, lightweight, and have a small footprint, making them ideal for in-situ measurements during space missions. This work is supported by NASA under contract 80NSSC24CA146.