NV Diamond Sensor Mounting Support Angular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NV magnetometers require complex mechanical alignment and adjustable mounts to align the magnetic field with the NV axis, which can be prone to drifts and is costly for diamonds with specific orientations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly comprising a nitrogen-vacancy diamond, an optical fiber, a micro-wave cable, and a mounting support with a socket that allows the diamond to be mounted at a predetermined angular position, enabling precise alignment of the NV axis without the need for complex mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adjustable angular mounts are used to align the NV axis with the magnetic field, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases and mechanical drift occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The NV diamond is pre-aligned during manufacturing with its NV axis perpendicular to the (111) diagonal facet. The mounting support is designed with a predetermined angular position socket that receives the diamond in this pre-determined orientation, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mounts during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting support acts as an intermediary element between the NV diamond and the measurement system. It provides a fixed angular relationship through its socket design, which receives the diamond and maintains the predetermined alignment without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If diamonds with (111) diagonal perpendicular to facet are used for alignment, then NV axis alignment is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment geometry is pre-determined in the mounting support design rather than requiring special diamond manufacturing. The socket is engineered with specific angular dimensions that correspond to the geometry of standard (100) facet diamonds, allowing any standard diamond to be properly aligned through the predetermined angular position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring diamonds with non-standard orientations, the mounting support copies the angular relationship of the desired NV axis alignment into its socket geometry. The socket's angular dimensions replicate the alignment requirements, allowing standard diamonds to be used while achieving the same alignment effect.
3Measurement precision
If complex mechanical alignment systems are used, then alignment precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to drift
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment is established once during the design of the mounting support's predetermined angular position socket. This fixed geometric relationship eliminates moving parts that could drift over time, ensuring long-term reliability while maintaining precision alignment between the NV axis and the magnetic field.
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 solution allows for efficient and stable alignment of the NV axis with the magnetic field, reducing the risk of mechanical drift and enabling the use of standard diamonds, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor assembly comprising a nitrogen-vacancy diamond forming a source of fluorescence coupled to a fluorescence collector
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor assembly (10) comprising a mounting support (20) and a nitrogen-vacancy diamond (12) connected to at least one optical fiber (22), said mounting support (20) comprising: —a support element (30) having a bottom surface (32) defining a reference plane (P2), and having, at a front end, a socket (36) designed to receive the nitrogen-vacancy diamond (12) in a predetermined angular position (a1) allowing predetermined alignment of its nitrogen-vacancy axis with regards to the reference plane (P2), said socket (36) comprising a recess (40) for housing said nitrogen-vacancy diamond (12) in the predetermined angular position (a1), and —a holder element (50) which is mounted on the support element (30), and which comprises a guiding surface (52) to guide and bend the optical fiber (22) from the nitrogen-vacancy diamond (12) to a rear portion of the holder element (50).