Multiparametric sensing with the nitrogen-vacancy color center in diamond

Abstract

Modern sensing applications increasingly require the simultaneous measurement of multiple physical parameters with high sensitivity. However, traditional sensors often suffer from cross-sensitivity to different variables, making it difficult to separate overlapping effects, such as those caused by temperature and magnetic fields, in complex environments. This challenge highlights the need for robust multiparametric sensors capable of independently and accurately monitoring diverse conditions in real time. In this context, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond present a promising solution. These atomic-scale defects can be optically initialized, manipulated, and read out via laser excitation using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), and they can operate under ambient and harsh conditions. In this work, we demonstrate a simultaneous and internally cross-validated sensing platform capable of detecting both magnetic fields and temperature with a sensitivity of around 500 nT/Hz and 10 mK/Hz, respectively. Our method integrates ODMR, zero-phonon line spectral shifts, and linewidth broadening, each providing independent spectral signatures sensitive to distinct physical effects. This approach enhances measurement precision, enables internal consistency checks, and decouples intertwined phenomena such as temperature-induced variations in magnetization. The demonstrated technique significantly expands the functional capabilities of NV-based sensors, advancing their potential for high-precision metrology in complex environments.