Quantum Diamonds
Product Detail
The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center is an atomic-scale defect in diamond — a nitrogen atom replacing a carbon atom next to a lattice vacancy. It gives diamond a bright, stable optical spin that can be initialized, controlled, and read out with light at room temperature, making NV diamond a foundational material for quantum sensing, quantum information, and quantum metrology. ACS Material supplies a full range of quantum diamond products — single NV centers, NV ensembles, and electronic-grade substrates — backed by in-house CVD growth, laser cutting, polishing, and quantum characterization, with customization available.
What is the NV center?
When a nitrogen atom substitutes for a carbon atom in the diamond lattice and pairs with an adjacent vacancy, the resulting NV center behaves like a single, trappable atom locked inside an inert, room-temperature crystal. Its negatively charged state has a spin-triplet ground level whose spin can be polarized by green light, manipulated by microwaves, and read out through its red fluorescence. Stable fluorescence and exceptionally long spin coherence make the NV center ideal for magnetic-field sensing, bioimaging, and quantum information processing — which is why NV-diamond platforms draw sustained interest from academia and industry alike.
The clearest way to see how NV sensing works is its signature measurement — optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). The simulator below shows how a magnetic field splits the NV resonance, the effect that turns a diamond into a magnetometer.
Applications
Because the NV spin responds to magnetic and electric fields, temperature, and microwaves while staying optically readable, the same material serves a broad span of quantum technologies:
- Quantum communication — single-photon sources and spin–photon interfaces for secure links and repeaters.
- Magnetic field sensing — nanoscale magnetometry from single-cell biology to materials and electronics.
- Electric field sensing — local electric-field mapping through Stark shifts of the NV levels.
- Temperature sensing — sub-degree thermometry from the temperature dependence of the zero-field splitting.
- Maser — room-temperature microwave amplification using polarized NV ensembles.
- Quantum gyroscope — rotation sensing via the NV nuclear-spin phase.
Understanding coherence times
Every product below is specified by its spin coherence — T1 (how long the spin keeps its polarization), T2 (how long it keeps phase under a Hahn echo), and T2* (the shorter free-induction time set by static dephasing). Longer coherence means higher sensitivity and longer quantum memory. The simulator shows why a Hahn echo extends coherence far beyond the raw T2*.
Quantum diamond product family
ACS Material offers five standard quantum diamond products, all available in 2×2×0.5 mm3 and 4×4×0.5 mm3, with customization available for size, orientation, and NV configuration.
Single NV diamond
Individually addressable NV centers for studying NV fundamentals and for high-spatial-resolution quantum precision measurement. The random grade places isolated NVs at a controlled density; the array grade patterns them at controlled depth for easy positioning.
Q-DNV-Ran(S) — random single NV. Features: long coherence (T2 ≈ 200 µs); controllable density (1–10 per µm2). Sizes: SKU#QDMNV001 (2×2) and SKU#QDMNV002 (4×4).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| [NV−] | 1 per µm2 |
| T1 | ≈ 5 ms |
| T2 | ≈ 200 µs |
| T2* | ≈ 0.5–8 µs |
Q-DNV-Array(S) — patterned NV array. Features: depth controllable (5–100 nm); patterned for easy NV positioning; long coherence for deep NVs (T2 > 200 µs). Sizes: SKU#QDMNV003 (2×2) and SKU#QDMNV004 (4×4).
| Parameter | Value (d > 50 nm) |
|---|---|
| [NV−] | 0.25 per µm2 |
| T1 | ≈ 5 ms |
| T2 | 100–200 µs |
| T2* | ≈ 0.3–2.2 µs |
NV ensemble diamond
Dense layers or volumes of NV centers that trade some coherence for much larger signal, for high-sensitivity measurement and microwave devices. The 2D grade confines NVs to a controlled-depth surface layer; the bulk grade fills the volume at high, controllable concentration.
Q-DNV-2D(E) — 2D ensemble. Features: depth controllable (5–100 nm); controllable concentration; oxygen-terminated surface. Sizes: SKU#QDMNV005 (2×2) and SKU#QDMNV006 (4×4).
| Parameter | Value (d > 50 nm) |
|---|---|
| [NV−] | 1011–1013 per cm2 |
| T1 | 1–5 ms |
| T2 | 10–100 µs |
| T2* | ≈ 0.3–0.8 µs |
Q-DNV-Bulk(E) — bulk ensemble. Features: high, controllable concentration (10–300 ppb); good coherence for an ensemble (T2 ≈ 50–200 µs); oxygen-terminated surface. Sizes: SKU#QDMNV007 (2×2) and SKU#QDMNV008 (4×4).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| [NV−] | 10–300 ppb |
| T1 | ≈ 5 ms |
| T2 | 50–200 µs |
| T2* | ≈ 0.7–1 µs |
Electronic-grade diamond (Q-DNV-ELD)
Ultra-pure CVD diamond — nitrogen below 5 ppb with very low background fluorescence — used as the substrate for creating your own single NVs and NV ensembles, and for demanding quantum research. Sizes: SKU#QDMNV009 (2×2) and SKU#QDMNV010 (4×4).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Faces | {100} |
| Roughness | Ra < 3 nm |
| 13C | 1.1% |
| [N] | < 5 ppb |
| [B] | < 1 ppb |
| [NV−] | < 0.05 ppb |
Micron diamond & customization
Beyond the standard plates, our diamond processing supports non-standard samples: {111}-polished surfaces, ultra-thin slices below 50 µm, micron-scale diamond particles, and custom-shaped cutting. We also offer subcontracting, and our NV-research team can recommend the right product and provide technical support for your measurement.
Growth, processing & testing
Our quantum diamond is made and finished in house, end to end.
CVD growth
Advanced CVD growth produces high-quality diamond with controlled doping of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si), and other elements — the foundation for engineered NV products.
Laser cutting & polishing
A complete set of laser cutting and diamond polishing equipment supports personalized fabrication of non-standard samples, from ultra-thin slices to custom geometries.
Quantum testing
Our in-house NV-center measurement-and-control system characterizes the quantum parameters of every product — coherence times T1, T2, and T2* and more — so the specifications you order are the specifications you receive.
SKU chart
| Type / Size | 2×2×0.5 mm3 | 4×4×0.5 mm3 |
|---|---|---|
| Single NV diamond Q-DNV-Ran(S) | SKU#QDMNV001 | SKU#QDMNV002 |
| Single NV diamond Q-DNV-Array(S) | SKU#QDMNV003 | SKU#QDMNV004 |
| NV ensemble diamond Q-DNV-2D(E) | SKU#QDMNV005 | SKU#QDMNV006 |
| NV ensemble diamond Q-DNV-Bulk(E) | SKU#QDMNV007 | SKU#QDMNV008 |
| Electronic-grade diamond Q-DNV-ELD | SKU#QDMNV009 | SKU#QDMNV010 |
- The default polished surface is the {100} face; special orientations and custom sizes are supported.
- For pricing and lead time, please contact us — custom configurations are quoted per request.
Frequently asked questions
Why use diamond for quantum technology?
Diamond hosts the NV center, a defect whose spin can be initialized, controlled, and read out optically at room temperature, with long coherence and stable fluorescence. That combination is rare and makes NV diamond a workhorse for quantum sensing, communication, and metrology.
Single NV or NV ensemble — which do I need?
Choose single NV when you need to address individual centers with the highest spatial resolution and longest coherence (fundamental studies, scanning magnetometry). Choose an ensemble when you need maximum signal and sensitivity over an area or volume (high-sensitivity magnetometry, masers); the trade-off is somewhat shorter coherence.
What do T1, T2, and T2* mean?
T1 is how long the spin keeps its polarization; T2 is the phase-coherence time under a Hahn echo; T2* is the shorter free-induction time limited by static, inhomogeneous dephasing. The coherence simulator above shows how an echo extends T2* up to T2.
What is electronic-grade diamond used for?
It is an ultra-pure substrate ([N] < 5 ppb, very low background fluorescence) for creating your own single NVs or ensembles by implantation or doped overgrowth, and for experiments that demand a clean optical and spin background.
How do I measure a magnetic field with NV diamond?
Record an ODMR spectrum: a field along the NV axis splits the resonance into two dips separated by 2γB (γ ≈ 28 MHz/mT), so the measured splitting gives the field. The ODMR simulator above demonstrates this directly.
Can you customize size, orientation, or shape?
Yes. We offer {111}-polished surfaces, ultra-thin slices below 50 µm, micron particles, custom-shaped cutting, and subcontracting, plus technical guidance from our NV-research team.
Related products & resources
- Datasheet: the quantum diamond technical data sheet (TDS).
- Category: browse the full Quantum Diamonds line.
- Related material: diamond nanoparticles for non-quantum diamond applications.
- Custom orders: request a quote or contact our team for customization and technical support.
This page describes ACS Material quantum diamond products (NV-center single, ensemble, and electronic-grade diamond). Quoted quantum parameters such as NV concentration and coherence times T1, T2, and T2* are typical ranges that depend on sample, depth, and measurement conditions; values for your order are confirmed by our in-house quantum characterization and stated on the accompanying datasheet. The interactive simulators on this page are simplified teaching models — an idealized two-Lorentzian ODMR spectrum and idealized coherence-decay envelopes — not measured data or design software. Disclaimer: ACS Material, LLC believes the information on this page is accurate and represents the best and most current information available to us, but makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the suitability of the material for any purpose or the accuracy of the information, and will not be responsible for damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information.