Quantum‐Grade Nanodiamonds from a Single‐Step, Industrial‐Scale Pressure and Temperature Process

Abstract Nanodiamonds with nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers are a promising workhorse for myriad applications, from quantum sensing to bioimaging. However, despite two decades of extensive research, their use remains limited by the lack of scalable methods to produce quantum‐grade material. While traditional NV‐production methods involve multi‐step irradiation and annealing processes, a fundamentally different approach is presented here based on a single‐step high‐temperature plastic deformation. It enables industrial‐scale yield of high‐quality luminescent nanodiamonds while significantly reducing production time and costs. Utilizing a unique cubic press apparatus capable of reaching higher temperatures and pressures, 50‐nm luminescent nanodiamonds with outstanding optical and spin properties are achieved in a single step from non‐luminescent material. Compared to electron‐irradiated nanodiamonds, i.e., common commercially available material, this method yields NV centers with significantly improved charge stability, T 1 relaxation times approaching 1 ms, and a ≈5‐fold enhancement in optical Rabi contrast. What this streamlined process produces in one week would require more than 40 years by current irradiation and annealing methods. Scalable, quantum‐grade nanodiamonds are thus unlocked, providing the missing link for their widespread adoption.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-10-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202520907
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.04

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Quantum‐Grade Nanodiamonds from a Single‐Step, Industrial‐Scale Pressure and Temperature Process

Igor Aharonovich, Michal Gulka, J. Daniel Belnap, Shery L. Y. Chang et al.
2 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
1.04
article

Quantum‐Grade Nanodiamonds from a Single‐Step, Industrial‐Scale Pressure and Temperature Process

Igor Aharonovich, Michal Gulka, J. Daniel Belnap, Shery L. Y. Chang, Fedor Jelezko, Jaroslav Hrubý, Parkarsh Kumar, Petr Cígler, Michael Olney‐Fraser, Priyadharshini Balasubramanian, Haotian Wen, Helen Zhi Jie Zeng, Rémi Blinder, Yuliya Mindarava, Benjamin Whitefield, Yahua Bao, Jakub Čopák, Hana Španielová
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract Nanodiamonds with nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers are a promising workhorse for myriad applications, from quantum sensing to bioimaging. However, despite two decades of extensive research, their use remains limited by the lack of scalable methods to produce quantum‐grade material. While traditional NV‐production methods involve multi‐step irradiation and annealing processes, a fundamentally different approach is presented here based on a single‐step high‐temperature plastic deformation. It enables industrial‐scale yield of high‐quality luminescent nanodiamonds while significantly reducing production time and costs. Utilizing a unique cubic press apparatus capable of reaching higher temperatures and pressures, 50‐nm luminescent nanodiamonds with outstanding optical and spin properties are achieved in a single step from non‐luminescent material. Compared to electron‐irradiated nanodiamonds, i.e., common commercially available material, this method yields NV centers with significantly improved charge stability, T 1 relaxation times approaching 1 ms, and a ≈5‐fold enhancement in optical Rabi contrast. What this streamlined process produces in one week would require more than 40 years by current irradiation and annealing methods. Scalable, quantum‐grade nanodiamonds are thus unlocked, providing the missing link for their widespread adoption.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 36(12)
University of Technology Sydney (AU), Imec the Netherlands (NL), Charles University (CZ), UNSW Sydney (AU), Provo College (US), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (CZ), Institute of Organic Chemistry (PL), Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (DE), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (CZ), ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (AU), Technische Hochschule Ulm (DE), Hasselt University (BE)
Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen, Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation, European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, University of New South Wales, RMIT University, Grantová Agentura České Republiky, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Iran National Science Foundation, Akademie Věd České Republiky, Vlaamse regering, QuantERA, Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
1.04
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.