A new class of quantum defects has been discovered inside synthetic diamonds. This was reported by the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, where the authors of the discovery worked.
The technology of growing rhinestones was mastered in the second half of the 20th century, and often such crystals turned out to be much more “accurate” than natural ones. However, in some cases, defects in the crystal lattice (or other kinds) are of particular interest to physicists because they can produce certain phenomena, primarily quantum mechanics. For example, some defects emit light under the influence of laser radiation, and the parameters of this light depend on the properties of the medium, such as temperature. This allows you to measure with high accuracy, including when using nanodiamonds inside cells.
Now Artur Nelyubov and colleagues have discovered a new class of diamond imperfections that occur in the manufacture of synthetic gemstones from adamantane. As the scientist noted, the detected defects have a number of features. Therefore, the luminescence they produce has a spectrum about ten times narrower than other types of defects in diamonds. In addition, the scientists found that the created diamonds not only emit light in a narrow range, but also selectively absorb it, and each defect behaves uniquely in this respect. In other words, the defect’s response to temperature and laser becomes more “subtle” and more accurate.
In turn, this allows interaction and control of every single flaw in the thickness of the diamond, making such stones particularly interesting objects for creating ultra-precise quantum thermometers.
The authors of the invention hope that their discovery will allow the temperature of the microenvironment to be measured with greater accuracy.
Previously, chemists proposed a method. couple efficiency of solar cells with ultra-thin material.