Magneto-optical defect center magnetometer

Abstract

A magneto-optical defect center magnetometer, such as a diamond nitrogen vacancy (DNV) magnetometer, can include an excitation source, a magneto-optical defect center element, a collection device, a top plate, a bottom plate, and a printed circuit board. The excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each mounted to the printed circuit board

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magneto-optical defect center magnetometer comprising:
 a magneto-optical defect center element;   an excitation source;   a collection device;   a top plate;   a bottom plate; and   a printed circuit board;   wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each mounted to the printed circuit board.   
     
     
         2 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source is positioned along a first axis relative to the printed circuit board and wherein the collection device is positioned along a second axis relative to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         3 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1  further comprising excitation source circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the excitation source. 
     
     
         4 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1  further comprising collection device circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the collection device. 
     
     
         5 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1  further comprising an RF element mounted to the printed circuit board and RF amplifier circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the RF device. 
     
     
         6 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1  further comprising an optical waveguide assembly that includes an optical waveguide and at least one optical filter coating, wherein the optical waveguide assembly is configured to transmit light emitted from the diamond having nitrogen vacancies to the collection device. 
     
     
         7 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises a light pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical filter coating transmits greater than about 99% of light with a wavelength of about 650 nm to about 850 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical filter coating transmits less than 0.1% of light with a wavelength of less than about 600 nm. 
     
     
         10 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical filter coating transmits greater than about 99% of light with a wavelength of about 650 nm to about 850 nm, and transmits less than 0.1% of light with a wavelength of less than about 600 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical filter coating is disposed on an end surface of the optical waveguide adjacent the collection device. 
     
     
         12 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein a first optical filter coating is disposed on an end surface of the optical waveguide adjacent the collection device, and a second optical filter coating is disposed on an end surface of the optical waveguide adjacent the diamond having nitrogen vacancies. 
     
     
         13 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the light pipe has an aperture with a size that is smaller than a size of the collection device. 
     
     
         14 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the light pipe has an aperture with a size greater than a size of a surface of the magneto-optical defect center element adjacent to the light pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the light pipe has an aperture with a size that is smaller than a size of the collection device and greater than a size of a surface of the magneto-optical defect center element adjacent the light pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical waveguide assembly further comprises an optical coupling material disposed between the light pipe and the magneto-optical defect center element, and the optical coupling material is configured to optically couple the light pipe to the magneto-optical defect center element. 
     
     
         17 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein the optical waveguide assembly further comprises an optical coupling material disposed between the light pipe and the collection device, and the optical coupling material is configured to optically couple the light pipe to the collection device. 
     
     
         18 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , wherein an end surface of the light pipe adjacent to the magneto-optical defect center element extends in a plane parallel to a surface of the magneto-optical defect center element adjacent to the light pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 6 , further comprising a second optical waveguide assembly and a second collection device, wherein the second optical waveguide assembly is configured to transmit light emitted from the magneto-optical defect center element to the second collection device. 
     
     
         20 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical filter, wherein the magneto-optical defect center element receives optical excitation based, at least in part, on generation of light corresponding to a first wavelength from the excitation source, wherein the collection device is configured to receive at least a first portion of light corresponding to a second wavelength, and wherein the optical filter is configured to provide at least a portion of light corresponding to the second wavelength to the collection device. 
     
     
         21 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is further configured to transmit light corresponding to the first wavelength. 
     
     
         22 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein light corresponding to the first wavelength comprises green and light corresponding to the second wavelength comprises red. 
     
     
         23 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter comprises an optical coating, and wherein the optical coating comprises one or more layers configured to at least one of transmit or reflect light. 
     
     
         24 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is disposed at least one of above, beneath, behind, or in front of the collection device. 
     
     
         25 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is configured to enclose the magneto-optical defect center element. 
     
     
         26 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter is disposed at least one of above, beneath, behind, or in front of the magneto-optical defect center element. 
     
     
         27 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the collection device comprises a receiving ends, and wherein the receiving ends are disposed proximate to the magneto-optical defect center element. 
     
     
         28 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 27 , wherein the collection device forms a gap, and wherein a predetermined dimension corresponding to the optical filter is configured to extend beyond a predetermined dimension corresponding to the gap. 
     
     
         29 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 27 , wherein the magneto-optical defect center element is disposed between the receiving ends. 
     
     
         30 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , further comprising a RF excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element. 
     
     
         31 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 20 , wherein the optical filter comprises a dichroic filter. 
     
     
         32 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each aligned and positioned relative to the top plate, bottom plate, and printed circuit board by a corresponding two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         33 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 32 , wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are positioned in a single plane. 
     
     
         34 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 32  further comprising a support element for the excitation source. 
     
     
         35 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 34 , wherein the support element comprises one or more alignment pins for the two-point orientation system and wherein the top plate comprises one or more alignment openings for the two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         36 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 35 , wherein the excitation source comprises one or more of a laser diode or a focusing lens. 
     
     
         37 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 34 , wherein the support element comprises an asymmetrical alignment pin for the two-point orientation system and wherein the top plate comprises an asymmetrical alignment opening for the two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         38 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 37 , wherein the excitation source comprises one or more of a laser diode or a focusing lens. 
     
     
         39 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 34 , wherein the support element is formed of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or a composite. 
     
     
         40 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 32  further comprising a support element for the collection device. 
     
     
         41 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 40 , wherein the support element comprises one or more alignment pins for the two-point orientation system and wherein the top plate comprises one or more alignment openings for the two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         42 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 41 , wherein the collection device comprises one or more of a light pipe or a photo diode. 
     
     
         43 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 40 , wherein the support element comprises an asymmetrical alignment pin for the two-point orientation system and wherein the top plate comprises an asymmetrical alignment opening for the two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         44 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 43 , wherein the collection device comprises one or more of a light pipe or a photo diode. 
     
     
         45 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 40 , wherein the support element is formed of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or a composite. 
     
     
         46 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 32 , wherein the top plate is formed of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, or a composite. 
     
     
         47 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 32 , wherein the bottom plate is formed of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, or a composite. 
     
     
         48 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element to transition relevant magneto-optical defect electrons to excited spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to provide optical light to the magneto-optical defect center element to reset spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element to a ground state, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         49 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 48 , wherein the readout optical light source is a laser and the reset optical light source is a bank of LED flash-bulbs. 
     
     
         50 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 48 , wherein the readout optical light source is an LED and the reset optical light source is a bank of LED flash-bulbs. 
     
     
         51 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 48 , wherein the readout optical light source has a higher duty cycle than the reset optical light source. 
     
     
         52 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to illuminate light in a first illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to illuminate light in a second illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element, wherein the second illumination volume is larger than and encompassing the first illumination volume, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         53 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 52 , wherein the readout optical light source is a laser and the reset optical light source is a bank of LED flash-bulbs. 
     
     
         54 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 52 , wherein the readout optical light source is an LED and the reset optical light source is a bank of LED flash-bulbs. 
     
     
         55 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 52 , wherein the readout optical light source has a higher duty cycle than the reset optical light source. 
     
     
         56 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils each having a spiral shape. 
     
     
         57 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 56 , wherein the coils are arranged in layers one above another. 
     
     
         58 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils arranged in layers one above another and to have a uniform spacing between each other. 
     
     
         59 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 58 , wherein the coils each have a spiral shape. 
     
     
         60 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 1 , wherein the magneto-optical defect center element is a diamond having nitrogen vacancies. 
     
     
         61 . A magneto-optical defect center magnetometer comprising:
 a magneto-optical defect center element;   an excitation source;   a collection device;   a top plate;   a bottom plate;   a printed circuit board;   excitation source circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the excitation source; and   collection device circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the collection device;   wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each mounted to the printed circuit board.   
     
     
         62 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , wherein the excitation source is positioned along a first axis relative to the printed circuit board and wherein the collection device is positioned along a second axis relative to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         63 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61  further comprising an RF element mounted to the printed circuit board and RF amplifier circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the RF device. 
     
     
         64 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61  further comprising an optical waveguide assembly that includes an optical waveguide and at least one optical filter coating, wherein the optical waveguide assembly is configured to transmit light emitted from the diamond having nitrogen vacancies to the collection device. 
     
     
         65 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , further comprising an optical filter, wherein the magneto-optical defect center element receives optical excitation based, at least in part, on generation of light corresponding to a first wavelength from the excitation source, wherein the collection device is configured to receive at least a first portion of light corresponding to a second wavelength, and wherein the optical filter is configured to provide at least a portion of light corresponding to the second wavelength to the collection device. 
     
     
         65 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each aligned and positioned relative to the top plate, bottom plate, and printed circuit board by a corresponding two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         66 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element to transition relevant magneto-optical defect electrons to excited spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to provide optical light to the magneto-optical defect center element to reset spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element to a ground state, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         67 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to illuminate light in a first illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to illuminate light in a second illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element, wherein the second illumination volume is larger than and encompassing the first illumination volume, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         68 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils each having a spiral shape. 
     
     
         69 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils arranged in layers one above another and to have a uniform spacing between each other. 
     
     
         70 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 61 , wherein the magneto-optical defect center element is a diamond having nitrogen vacancies. 
     
     
         71 . A magneto-optical defect center magnetometer comprising:
 a magneto-optical defect center element;   an excitation source;   a collection device;   an RF element;   a top plate;   a bottom plate;   a printed circuit board;   excitation source circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the excitation source;   collection device circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the collection device; and   RF amplifier circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board proximate to the RF device;   wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, the collection device, and the RF element are each mounted to the printed circuit board and wherein the excitation source is positioned along a first axis relative to the printed circuit board and wherein the collection device is positioned along a second axis relative to the printed circuit board.   
     
     
         72 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71  further comprising an optical waveguide assembly that includes an optical waveguide and at least one optical filter coating, wherein the optical waveguide assembly is configured to transmit light emitted from the diamond having nitrogen vacancies to the collection device. 
     
     
         73 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , further comprising an optical filter, wherein the magneto-optical defect center element receives optical excitation based, at least in part, on generation of light corresponding to a first wavelength from the excitation source, wherein the collection device is configured to receive at least a first portion of light corresponding to a second wavelength, and wherein the optical filter is configured to provide at least a portion of light corresponding to the second wavelength to the collection device. 
     
     
         74 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , wherein the excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each aligned and positioned relative to the top plate, bottom plate, and printed circuit board by a corresponding two-point orientation system. 
     
     
         75 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element to transition relevant magneto-optical defect electrons to excited spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to provide optical light to the magneto-optical defect center element to reset spin states in the magneto-optical defect center element to a ground state, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         76 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , wherein the excitation source comprises an optical light source including a readout optical light source configured to illuminate light in a first illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element and a reset optical light source configured to illuminate light in a second illumination volume of the magneto-optical defect center element, wherein the second illumination volume is larger than and encompassing the first illumination volume, wherein the reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source. 
     
     
         77 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils each having a spiral shape. 
     
     
         78 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) excitation source configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center element, the RF excitation source including an RF feed connector and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center element, the coils arranged in layers one above another and to have a uniform spacing between each other. 
     
     
         79 . The magneto-optical defect center magnetometer of  claim 71 , wherein the magneto-optical defect center element is a diamond having nitrogen vacancies.