Vacancy Center Material RF Excitation via Metallic Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced magnetic detection systems face limitations in ambient conditions and lack small size, weight, and power (SWAP) efficiency with moderate sensitivity and vector accuracy, making them unsuitable for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic detection system utilizing a magneto-optical defect center material with RF excitation, featuring a metallic coating and a circuit board with conductive traces, along with optical excitation sources, to provide efficient RF excitation to the defect centers, enhancing sensitivity and bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional magnetic detection systems are used, then they can operate in controlled conditions, but they cannot operate in ambient conditions and have large size and high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating conditionsVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the magnetic detection system by using defect centers in materials (such as nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond) that can operate at ambient temperatures and pressures, unlike conventional systems requiring cryogenic temperatures and high vacuum. This parameter change enables operation in ambient conditions while reducing system size and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional magnetic detection systems are used, then they provide basic detection capability, but they lack sufficient sensitivity and vector accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical and electromagnetic detection methods with quantum-based optical detection using defect centers. The defect centers' spin states are manipulated optically and read out through optical fluorescence, providing high sensitivity and vector accuracy without the complexity of conventional superconducting or resonance-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If RF excitation is applied to defect center material, then sensitivity and bandwidth are enhanced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic RF excitation pulses applied to the defect center material to manipulate spin states, combined with periodic optical pumping and fluorescence detection. This periodic action achieves high sensitivity through resonance enhancement while allowing duty-cycled operation that reduces average power consumption compared to continuous excitation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system achieves highly efficient RF excitation with reduced power consumption, maintaining sensitivity and accuracy, suitable for a wide range of detection applications, including those in ambient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an RF excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF excitation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material to transition relevant magneto-optical defect center electrons to excited spin states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical excitation: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

an optical detector configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10338164B2Vacancy center material with highly efficient RF excitation

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, an optical light source , an optical detector, and a radio frequency (RF) excitation source. The optical light source is configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material. The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material. The RF excitation source includes an RF feed connector, and a metallic material coated on the magneto-optical defect center material and electrically connected to the RF feed connecter.