Nicole Fabbri - CNR-INO and LENS

Spin defects in diamonds for quantum technologies

Diamond containing optically active spin defects, such as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, provides a highly controllable and engineerable platform for quantum technologies. Coherent spin control, optical initialization and readout, long coherence times under ambient conditions, and the potential for miniaturization and integration, make NV centers particularly attractive for quantum sensing applications while also offering a versatile testbed for quantum information science.

In this talk, I will present recent advances from our group in the development of NV-based quantum sensors for magnetic field detection and imaging, with applications ranging from biologically active matter to microelectronic circuits. I will also describe the development of a compact platform for deployable quantum sensing devices. Particular emphasis will be placed on strategies to enhance sensor performance through advanced quantum control protocols and machine-learning-assisted optimization. 

As diamond quantum technologies mature –including sensors and more broadly quantum information devices– energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important. In the second part of the talk, I will show how single NV spins enable the investigation of quantum thermodynamics at the microscopic scale. By probing work, heat, energy, and entropy fluctuation statistics we highlight the role of quantum coherence in energy exchange processes, with implications for the development of more efficient quantum technologies.