Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale

Abstract The detection of individual charges plays a crucial role in fundamental material science and the advancement of classical and quantum high-performance technologies that operate with low noise. However, resolving charges at the lattice scale in a time-resolved manner has not been achieved so...

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Main Authors: Gregor Pieplow, Cem Güney Torun, Charlotta Gurr, Joseph H. D. Munns, Franziska Marie Herrmann, Andreas Thies, Tommaso Pregnolato, Tim Schröder
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61839-2
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author Gregor Pieplow
Cem Güney Torun
Charlotta Gurr
Joseph H. D. Munns
Franziska Marie Herrmann
Andreas Thies
Tommaso Pregnolato
Tim Schröder
author_facet Gregor Pieplow
Cem Güney Torun
Charlotta Gurr
Joseph H. D. Munns
Franziska Marie Herrmann
Andreas Thies
Tommaso Pregnolato
Tim Schröder
author_sort Gregor Pieplow
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The detection of individual charges plays a crucial role in fundamental material science and the advancement of classical and quantum high-performance technologies that operate with low noise. However, resolving charges at the lattice scale in a time-resolved manner has not been achieved so far. Here, we present the development of an electrometer with 60 ns acquisition steps, leveraging on the spectroscopy of an optically-active spin defect embedded in a solid-state material with a non-linear Stark response. By applying our approach to diamond, a widely used platform for quantum technology applications, we can distinguish the distinct charge traps at the lattice scale, quantify their impact on transport dynamics and noise generation, analyze relevant material properties, and develop strategies for material optimization.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-5c76d11a491b43a4a3de7fe030b8be862025-08-20T03:43:00ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-61839-2Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scaleGregor Pieplow0Cem Güney Torun1Charlotta Gurr2Joseph H. D. Munns3Franziska Marie Herrmann4Andreas Thies5Tommaso Pregnolato6Tim Schröder7Department of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinFerdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH)Department of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinAbstract The detection of individual charges plays a crucial role in fundamental material science and the advancement of classical and quantum high-performance technologies that operate with low noise. However, resolving charges at the lattice scale in a time-resolved manner has not been achieved so far. Here, we present the development of an electrometer with 60 ns acquisition steps, leveraging on the spectroscopy of an optically-active spin defect embedded in a solid-state material with a non-linear Stark response. By applying our approach to diamond, a widely used platform for quantum technology applications, we can distinguish the distinct charge traps at the lattice scale, quantify their impact on transport dynamics and noise generation, analyze relevant material properties, and develop strategies for material optimization.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61839-2
spellingShingle Gregor Pieplow
Cem Güney Torun
Charlotta Gurr
Joseph H. D. Munns
Franziska Marie Herrmann
Andreas Thies
Tommaso Pregnolato
Tim Schröder
Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
Nature Communications
title Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
title_full Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
title_fullStr Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
title_full_unstemmed Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
title_short Quantum electrometer for time-resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
title_sort quantum electrometer for time resolved material science at the atomic lattice scale
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61839-2
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