Spinning spins: measuring geometric phases in rotating quantum systems

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The quantum geometric phase has long been viewed as an interesting, but somewhat mysterious, feature of quantum mechanics. However, the ability to harness and control geometric phase in individual quantum systems may drive the development of a new class of quantum technologies. This project aims to measure, for the first time, geometric phase due to the macroscopic motion of an atom-scale quantum system, specifically in rotating nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond. It is expected that these proof-of-principle measurements will provide the basis for the future development and design of new nano-scale quantum gyroscopes and set the foundations for using nano-diamonds as rotational diagnostic tools in a range of important nanoscopic systems.