Diamonds from the Lab

Until now a single electron has been the smallest sensor that can be used to measure magnetic fields using quantum physics. In order to move it in a controlled way, scientists use small, artificial diamonds as a kind of mount. Oliver Ambacher, Professor for Power Electronics from the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) of the University of Freiburg and director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics, is developing diamond sensors that can make even the faintest magnetic field visible by using a tiny electron. This quantum physics approach will be able to detect faults in damaged hard drives and nanoelectric switches as well as improving medical technology such as MRI scanners.

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