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Advanced Quantum Technologies

Optical Detection of Multi‐Channel Digital Signals Using Nitrogen‐Vacancy Centers Array

Wenyuan Hao, Y. W. Jin, Huan Fei Wen, Ding Wang, Xiaozhe Yang, Xin Li, Zhonghao Li, Hao Guo, Zongmin Ma, Yunbo Shi, Yan Jun Li, Jun Tang, Jun Liu

Published Jun 25, 2025• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The efficient detection of digital signals plays a vital role in optimizing the reliability and stability of communication systems. This paper demonstrates a method to optically measure digital signals based on solid‐state quantum spin. The digital signals are non‐intrusively characterized by taking advantage of the optical readability of the spin states of the nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers array. Meanwhile, the resonance frequencies of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra are spatially encoded by means of an external magnetic field gradient, thereby realizing the simultaneous acquisition of three‐channel digital signals. Over a continuous detection bandwidth of 258 MHz, digital signals can be detected with a time resolution of 3 ms and a minimum signal strength of 0 dBm. Afterward, the ability of this system to capture digital signals is further substantiated by measuring signals in other channels. This proposal is competent for the simultaneous analysis of multi‐channel signals in real‐time and provides a valuable reference for radio spectrum monitoring, and signal intelligence reconnaissance.

DOI
10.1002/qute.202500217

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Abstract The efficient detection of digital signals plays a vital role in optimizing the reliability and stability of communication systems. This paper demonstrates a method to optically measure digital signals based on solid‐state quantum spin. The digital signals are non‐intrusively characterized by taking advantage of the optical readability of the spin states of the nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers array. Meanwhile, the resonance frequencies of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra are spatially encoded by means of an external magnetic field gradient, thereby realizing the simultaneous acquisition of three‐channel digital signals. Over a continuous detection bandwidth of 258 MHz, digital signals can be detected with a time resolution of 3 ms and a minimum signal strength of 0 dBm. Afterward, the ability of this system to capture digital signals is further substantiated by measuring signals in other channels. This proposal is competent for the simultaneous analysis of multi‐channel signals in real‐time and provides a valuable reference for radio spectrum monitoring, and signal intelligence reconnaissance.
In this paper, we propose a method for simultaneously recovering multiple radio wave signals based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond combining optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectrum. A controlled magnetic field gradient applied to the laser excitation area on the surface of diamond widens the detectable ODMR bandwidth to 200 MHz. Three different frequency-modulated (FM) signals with distinct carrier frequencies falling within the resonance frequency range are received and demodulated in real-time. Subsequently, the FM signal reception capability of this system is further investigated by measuring baseband signal frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz and adjusting the carrier power within a dynamic range from -10 dBm to 30 dBm. This proposal, which accomplishes multi-channel demodulation using a compact and single device, has potential applications in fields such as wireless communication, radar and navigation.
The efficient and reliable detection of microwave signals is a key element of the breakthrough in new-generation communication technology. In this article, we proposed an approach for the simultaneous identification of multiple microwave signals in a continuous frequency range based on the spectral hole-burning effect of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. The protocol combines the quantum wide-field imaging method with magnetic gradient means, breaking the narrowband and discrete detection limitations of conventional optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) techniques. The frequencies of multiple microwave signals can be accurately decoupled by locating the relevant gaps on resonance frequency curves. Meanwhile, the effects induced by fixed-frequency signals with different powers on the resonance frequency curves were systematically analyzed. The experimental results indicated that the system realized a multiple-frequency resolution of 1 MHz and a minimum detectable power of 1 mW over a continuous bandwidth of 313-MHz. This proposal is capable of real-time and simultaneous detection of multiple microwave signals, which remarkably improves the utilization efficiency of spectrum resources.
Abstract This paper proposes an approach for non-intrusively detecting digital microwave information by all-optical means. The measurement of the digital information was realized by taking advantage of the spin property and optical readability of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers sensor. We convert microwave-carried information into fluorescence signals using diamond NV centers, and the fluorescence signals are then transformed into corresponding electrical signals using an avalanche photodiode. The performance of the system is experimentally evaluated. The time resolution for digital information detection is up to 50 μs, and the minimum detectable power is −2.04 dBm. This study indicates that the proposed method is feasible to accurately detect the digital information and has tremendous potential for the development of digital information processing by all-optical techniques.
Ensembles of nitrogen vacancy (NV) defect centers in diamond have attracted considerable interest for fundamental studies and applications in quantum sensing and quantum information processing. Pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and related pulse-sequence protocols are essential for the coherent manipulation and characterization of the NV spins. Here, we introduce a novel framework for analyzing pulsed ODMR data acquisition and subsequent processing from the perspective of digital signal processing (DSP). As a central part of this approach, we model the data processing procedure as an effective digital bandpass filter that suppresses a broad range of noise spectral components, thereby reducing the noise in the processed data. This analysis identifies an intermediate frequency (IF) band whose spectral contribution to this noise is maximum. The proposed DSP-based analysis is experimentally validated using an oscilloscope based acquisition method, and is also applied to optimize key measurement parameters. In particular, the introduction of an analog low pass filter in the signal path is shown to remove aliasing of noise into the IF band, and thus improve signal quality. Our results also establish the oscilloscope as a viable data acquisition device for pulsed ODMR, with practical advantages including on-board waveform averaging, real-time signal visualization, and simplified system debugging. The proposed framework can be extended to other detection techniques and material platforms for ODMR.
We propose an original analog method to perform instantaneous and quantitative spectral analysis of microwave signals. An ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers held in a diamond plate is pumped by a 532 nm laser. Its photoluminescence is imaged through an optical microscope and monitored by a digital camera. An incoming microwave signal is converted into a microwave field in the area of the NV centers by a loop shaped antenna. The resonances induced by the magnetic component of that field are detected through a decrease of the NV centers photoluminescence. A magnetic field gradient induces a Zeeman shift of the resonances and transforms the frequency information into spatial information, which allows for the simultaneous analysis of the microwave signal in the entire frequency bandwidth of the device. The time dependent spectral analysis of an amplitude modulated microwave signal is demonstrated over a bandwidth of 600 MHz, associated to a frequency resolution of 7 MHz , and a refresh rate of 4 ms. With such integration time, a field of a few hundreds of μW can be detected. Since the optical properties of NV centers can be maintained even in high magnetic field, we estimate that an optimized device could allow frequency analysis in a range of 30 GHz, only limited by the amplitude of the magnetic field gradient. In addition, an increase of the NV centers quantity could lead both to an increase of the microwave sensitivity and to a decrease of the minimum refresh rate down to a few μs.
This article presents a method to simultaneously determine multiple microwave signals using the hole-burning effect based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds. Tracking the anomalous peaks caused by fixed-frequency microwave signals in the optically detected magnetic resonance spectrum, the frequencies under test can be detected with high precision and accuracy in real time. Meanwhile, the applicability of the scheme in detecting microwave signals of different power is evaluated systematically by adjusting the power of measured fixed-frequency microwave signals. In addition, the frequency resolution of the system is characterized by modulating the frequency of one of the microwave signals. The experiment results indicate that the frequency resolution is as small as 5 kHz and the recognition deviation is less than 0.40 kHz. The method will provide a new idea in the field of electromagnetic compatibility testing, radio signal processing, and Internet of Things Engineering.