Nuclear Spin Gyroscope based on the Nitrogen Vacancy Center in Diamond

A rotation sensor is one of the key elements of inertial navigation systems and compliments most cell phone sensor sets used for various applications. Currently, inexpensive and efficient solutions are mechanoelectronic devices, which nevertheless lack long-term stability. Realization of rotation sensors based on spins of fundamental particles may become a drift-free alternative to such devices. Here, we carry out a proof-of-concept experiment, demonstrating rotation measurements on a rotating setup utilizing nuclear spins of an ensemble of nitrogen vacancy centers as a sensing element with no stationary reference. The measurement is verified by a commercially available microelectromechanical system gyroscope.

Automated summary

The experiment demonstrates rotation measurements using nuclear spins of nitrogen vacancy centers as a sensing element in a rotating setup without the need for a stationary reference. The results are validated by a commercially available microelectromechanical system gyroscope, showing the potential for drift-free rotation sensors based on spins of fundamental particles.