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Optimized quantum sensing with a single electron spin using real-time adaptive measurements

Nature Nanotechnology volume 11, pages 247–252 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Quantum sensors based on single solid-state spins promise a unique combination of sensitivity and spatial resolution1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20. The key challenge in sensing is to achieve minimum estimation uncertainty within a given time and with high dynamic range. Adaptive strategies have been proposed to achieve optimal performance, but their implementation in solid-state systems has been hindered by the demanding experimental requirements. Here, we realize adaptive d.c. sensing by combining single-shot readout of an electron spin in diamond with fast feedback. By adapting the spin readout basis in real time based on previous outcomes, we demonstrate a sensitivity in Ramsey interferometry surpassing the standard measurement limit. Furthermore, we find by simulations and experiments that adaptive protocols offer a distinctive advantage over the best known non-adaptive protocols when overhead and limited estimation time are taken into account. Using an optimized adaptive protocol we achieve a magnetic field sensitivity of 6.1 ± 1.7 nT Hz−1/2 over a wide range of 1.78 mT. These results open up a new class of experiments for solid-state sensors in which real-time knowledge of the measurement history is exploited to obtain optimal performance.

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Figure 1: Experiment concept and apparatus.
Figure 2: High-dynamic-range adaptive magnetometry.
Figure 3: Frequency dependence of uncertainty.
Figure 4: Scaling of sensitivity as a function of total time.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank M. Tiggelman and R. Schouten for the development of the FPGA. The authors acknowledge support from the Dutch Organization for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the DARPA QuASAR programme, the EU SOLID and DIAMANT programmes and the European Research Council through a starting grant. D.W.B. is funded by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT100100761).

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Author notes

  1. C. Bonato and M. S. Blok: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. QuTech and Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, GA Delft, 2600, The Netherlands

    C. Bonato, M. S. Blok & R. Hanson

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, New South Wales, Australia

    H. T. Dinani & D. W. Berry

  3. Center for Engineered Quantum Systems, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, New South Wales, Australia

    H. T. Dinani

  4. Element Six Ltd, Kings Ride Park, Ascot, SL5 8BP, Berkshire, UK

    M. L. Markham & D. J. Twitchen

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  1. C. Bonato
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Contributions

C.B., M.S.B. and R.H. conceived the experiments. C.B. and M.S.B. performed the measurements and numerical simulations and processed the data. H.T.D. and D.W.B. calculated the incremental phases for the optimized adaptive protocol and provided general theoretical support. M.L.M. and D.J.T. designed and carried out the synthesis of isotopically enriched diamond material. C.B., M.S.B. and R.H. wrote the manuscript. All authors analysed the results and commented on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to R. Hanson.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Bonato, C., Blok, M., Dinani, H. et al. Optimized quantum sensing with a single electron spin using real-time adaptive measurements. Nature Nanotech 11, 247–252 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2015.261

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