ExpandQISE: Track 1: Micron Scale Solid State Quantum Sensors Optimized through Machine Learning

摘要：量子传感是一项颠覆性技术，已经在各个研究领域得到了应用。缺陷量子传感技术的成功主要得益于金刚石中氮空位（NV）色心缺陷的室温操作能力。该项目旨在扩大摩根州立大学（MSU）目前对缺陷量子传感的研究能力。该项目的成果将加速产品的开发，直接惠及更广泛的社区。该项目还将通过在量子传感实验项目中培训少数民族学生，促进量子信息科学与工程（QISE）劳动力的多样性。通过密歇根州立大学新的量子科学课程，更多的少数民族学生将接受QISE概念和应用方面的培训。每年将组织为期两周的暑期讲习班，培训至少8名少数族裔K12教师如何向学生教授量子科学。建立QISE证书项目。在一年一度的密歇根州立大学STEM博览会上，1000多名K-12学生和家长将通过讲座和实践演示接触量子科学概念。技术摘要：利用金刚石的NV缺陷成功实现了温度、基体材料应变、磁场和电场的微小变化的量子传感，其中光学检测磁共振（ODMR）方法是关键组成部分。然而，基于固态缺陷的量子传感器的电流灵敏度比预测的理论极限要小几个数量级。为了提高缺陷量子传感实验的检测极限，开发了一系列连续波（CW）和脉冲ODMR协议。机器学习（ML）算法有可能提高这些量子传感器的灵敏度。此外，NV物理的许多方面，包括系综中的电荷动力学，仍然没有得到很好的理解，因此需要进一步的研究和探索。此外，目前基于固态缺陷的量子传感器的实验装置体积庞大，占用空间小的版本尚未得到证实。人们对宽禁带半导体中的其他缺陷也越来越感兴趣，因为它们在量子传感应用中可以替代金刚石中的NV缺陷。该项目团队将与芝加哥大学/阿贡国家实验室的固态缺陷量子传感器专家合作，通过实施脉冲、交流和谐振耦合ODMR协议和其他硬件添加来改进现有的设置。新的机器学习算法将为展示接近预测理论极限的增强灵敏度铺平道路。将建立金刚石生长和处理方法，以获得高NV浓度的高质量金刚石样品。微米级固态缺陷集成电路量子传感器将首次展示。将改进的表征和器件制造能力扩展到宽禁带半导体中的其他缺陷，将促进对其特性的理解，并将促进其在广泛的量子传感应用中的应用。该项目由传统黑人学院和大学本科项目（HBCU-UP）、多学科活动办公室（MPS/OMA）和技术前沿项目（TIP/TF）共同资助。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical Abstract: Quantum sensing is a disruptive technology that has already found applications in various research fields. Quantum sensing with defects is one of the leading approaches owing its success mostly to the room temperature operation capability of nitrogen vacancy (NV) color center defects in diamond. The project aims to expand the current research capabilities on quantum sensing with defects at Morgan State University (MSU). The outcomes of this project will accelerate the development of products that benefit the broader community directly. This project will also contribute to the diversity of Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) workforce by training minority students in quantum sensing experimental projects. More minority students will be trained on QISE concepts and applications through new quantum science courses at MSU. Two weeks long summer workshops will be organized to train at least eight minority serving K12 teachers each year on how to teach quantum science to their students. A QISE certificate program will be established. Over a thousand K-12 students and parents will be exposed to quantum science concepts at the annual MSU STEM Expo via lectures and hands-on demonstrations.Technical Abstract: Quantum sensing of extremely small changes in temperature, host material strain, magnetic and electric fields was successfully demonstrated with NV defects in diamond, where optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) method is a key component. However, current sensitivities of solid-state defect-based quantum sensors are orders of magnitude less than the predicted theoretical limits. A range of continuous wave (CW) and pulsed ODMR protocols were developed for improving detection limits of quantum sensing experiments with defects. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have the potential to enhance the sensitivities of these quantum sensors. In addition, there are numerous aspects of NV physics, including charge dynamics in ensembles, that are still not well understood and thus require further research and exploration. Furthermore, current experimental solid-state defect-based quantum sensor setups are bulky and small footprint versions are yet to be demonstrated. There is also an increasing interest in other defects in wide bandgap semiconductors for their use in quantum sensing applications as alternatives to NV defects in diamond. The project team will collaborate with an expert in solid-state defect-based quantum sensors at the University of Chicago/Argonne National Laboratory to improve the existing setups by implementing pulsed, AC, and resonant coupling ODMR protocols and other hardware additions. New ML algorithms will pave the way to demonstrate enhanced sensitivities approaching predicted theoretical limits. Diamond growth and treatment methods will be established to obtain high-quality diamond samples with high NV concentrations. Micron-scale solid-state defect-based integrated circuit quantum sensors will be demonstrated for the first time. Extending the improved capabilities for characterization and device fabrication to other defects in wide bandgap semiconductors will advance the understanding of their properties and will facilitate their application in a wide range of quantum sensing applications.This project is jointly funded by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (MPS/OMA), and the Technology Frontiers Program (TIP/TF).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.