Quantum enhanced radio detection and ranging with solid spins

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 1288
• Main Authors: Chen, Xiang-Dong, Wang, En-Hui, Shan, Long-Kun, Zhang, Shao-Chun, Feng, Ce, Zheng, Yu, Dong, Yang, Guo, Guang-Can, Sun, Fang-Wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.03.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/766/1130/2798; 639/766/483/1255; 639/925/927/481; Diamonds; Humanities and Social Sciences; Internet of Things; multidisciplinary; Quantum sensors; Radio frequency; Radio signals; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sensitivity enhancement; Spatial discrimination; Spatial resolution
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36929-8

The accurate radio frequency (RF) ranging and localizing of objects has benefited the researches including autonomous driving, the Internet of Things, and manufacturing. Quantum receivers have been proposed to detect the radio signal with ability that can outperform conventional measurement. As one of the most promising candidates, solid spin shows superior robustness, high spatial resolution and miniaturization. However, challenges arise from the moderate response to a high frequency RF signal. Here, by exploiting the coherent interaction between quantum sensor and RF field, we demonstrate quantum enhanced radio detection and ranging. The RF magnetic sensitivity is improved by three orders to 21 pT / Hz , based on nanoscale quantum sensing and RF focusing. Further enhancing the response of spins to the target’s position through multi-photon excitation, a ranging accuracy of 16 μ m is realized with a GHz RF signal. The results pave the way for exploring quantum enhanced radar and communications with solid spins. Quantum sensors based on NV centers in diamond are well established, however the sensitivity of detection of high-frequency radio signals has been limited. Here the authors use nanoscale field-focusing to enhance sensitivity and demonstrate ranging for GHz radio signals in an interferometer set-up.