Researchers use diamond defects for optical spin control and nanoscale temperature sensors

Researchers from the University of Chicago's Institute for Molecular Engineering developed a new technique that can full control the electronic spin of the nitrogen vacancy center (an atomic-scale defect) in diamonds. This may pave the way towards light based Spintronic quantum computers.

The same team also developed a new temperature sensor that is based on manipulation of the same nitrogen vacancy center defect in diamonds. Nanoscale magnetic and electric fields sensors have already been developed, but this is the first temperature nanoscale sensor.