LED Excitation for Diamond Nitrogen Vacancy Magnetometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources used to excite nitrogen vacancy centers in diamonds, such as lasers, are often bulky, expensive, and power-intensive, limiting their effectiveness and versatility in magnetic field detection applications.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a light-emitting diode (LED) to emit non-polarized light towards a diamond with nitrogen vacancies, allowing for more compact and efficient detection of magnetic fields by comparing the light emitted before and after passing through the diamond, which changes in response to external magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional light sources (lasers) are used to excite nitrogen vacancy centers, then sufficient excitation intensity is achieved, but the device becomes bulky, expensive, and power-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light source from high-intensity lasers to lower-intensity LEDs, accepting reduced illumination intensity in exchange for dramatically lower power consumption. This parameter change enables portable magnetometer applications where battery life is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex laser systems with inexpensive, simple LED components. While LEDs provide less intense light, they are far cheaper and more practical for portable applications, effectively trading performance for cost and practicality.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional light sources (lasers) are used to excite nitrogen vacancy centers, then sufficient excitation intensity is achieved, but the device size increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter of the light source from high (lasers) to low (LEDs), directly extending battery life. This comes with the trade-off of reduced light intensity, but enables portable field deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive LED components instead of complex laser systems, reducing both device volume and cost while extending operational duration through lower power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If conventional light sources (lasers) are used to excite nitrogen vacancy centers, then magnetic field detection is achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex laser systems with simple, inexpensive LED components. The reduced light intensity is compensated by optimizing the diamond crystal and detection system, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the light source parameters from high-intensity coherent light to lower-intensity incoherent light, requiring adjustments in other system parameters (diamond quality, detection sensitivity) to maintain measurement precision.
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
The LED-based system provides a more compact, versatile, and power-efficient means to detect magnetic fields by uniformly exciting nitrogen vacancy centers, enhancing sensitivity and extending battery life in portable applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode configured to emit light toward the diamond
Implementation Method 2
A light source can be used to excite the defect
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a diamond with one or more nitrogen vacancies, a light emitting diode configured to emit light that travels through the diamond, and a photo sensor configured to sense the light. The device also includes a processor operatively coupled to the photo sensor. The processor is configured to determine, based on the light sensed by the photo sensor, a magnetic field applied to the diamond.