Diamond Magneto-Optical Sensor With Optical Microwave Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diamond magneto-optical sensors face challenges in high-voltage power units due to the difficulty in ensuring electrical insulation and avoiding electrical breakdowns when transmitting excitation light, fluorescence, and microwaves, particularly with large antennas used for microwave transmission.

Innovation Solution

The use of nonmetallic members, such as optical fibers, for transmitting excitation light, fluorescence, and microwaves, along with a photoelectric conversion unit to convert modulated light into electric signals, allows for electrical insulation and avoids the need for large antennas, enabling flexible and unrestricted measurement environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If large antennas are used for microwave transmission in high-voltage power units, then microwave transmission capability is improved, but electrical insulation becomes difficult to ensure and electrical breakdowns occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave transmission capabilityVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical fiber as an intermediary medium to transmit microwave signals. Instead of using traditional large antennas that require direct electrical connection, the microwave signals are converted to optical signals and transmitted through optical fibers, which provide inherent electrical insulation in high-voltage environments while maintaining signal transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional electromagnetic antenna system with an optical transmission system. By converting microwave signals to optical signals for transmission and then converting them back, the system eliminates the need for large metal antennas, thereby ensuring electrical insulation while maintaining microwave transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If traditional metallic transmission methods are used for excitation light and microwaves, then transmission efficiency is improved, but electrical breakdowns occur in high-voltage environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical breakdown
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Optical fibers serve as intermediary transmission channels that carry both excitation light and microwave signals (converted to optical form). These non-conductive optical fibers prevent electrical breakdowns while maintaining efficient signal transmission in high-voltage power units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an electrically insulating environment by using optical fibers for all signal transmissions. This inert transmission medium isolates the sensor system from the high-voltage environment, preventing electrical breakdowns while maintaining transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Power

If large antennas are used for microwave transmission, then microwave irradiation capability is improved, but the measurement environment becomes restricted due to Radio Law

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave irradiation capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement environment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing traditional antenna-based microwave transmission with optical fiber transmission, the patent eliminates the need for large antenna structures. This substitution enables measurements in previously inaccessible environments while maintaining microwave irradiation capability through optical signal conversion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures easy and safe use of diamond magneto-optical sensors in high-voltage power units by preventing electrical breakdowns and allowing measurements in any environment without Radio Law restrictions, while also extending the sensor's lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The NV center excited at a wavelength 532 nm (that is, green light) emits fluorescence at a wavelength 637 nm (that is, red light). The radiant intensity of fluorescence changes according to a spin state.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

an irradiation unit that irradiates the diamond with electromagnetic waves for magnetic resonance, wherein the irradiation unit receives microwave wireless by a receiving antenna, and the electromagnetic waves for magnetic resonance are formed by the electric signal generated by the receiving antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The spin state is changed by magnetic resonance occurring due to a magnetic field applied to the NV center and microwaves or radio waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4318013B1Diamond magneto-optical sensor and diamond magneto-optical sensor system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4318013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4318013B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4318013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A diamond magneto-optical sensor includes: a diamond that includes a color center with an electronic spin and is irradiated with excitation light, and an irradiatior unit that irradiates the diamond with the excitation light of the color center and electromagnetic waves for magnetic resonance, wherein the irradiation unit receives modulated light having been subjected to amplitude modulation, and a modulation frequency of the modulated light is included in a microwave frequency band.