Wednesday 17 September 2025
For decades, scientists have been working on harnessing the power of diamonds for quantum computing and sensing applications. One major challenge has been creating large-scale, high-quality nanodiamonds that can be used to detect tiny changes in magnetic fields and other physical phenomena.
Now, researchers from RMIT University in Australia have made a significant breakthrough by developing a method to fabricate fluorescent nanodiamonds with bulk-like properties using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamonds. The team’s findings, published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for more widespread use of diamond-based quantum technology.
The key innovation lies in the ball milling process used to create the nanodiamonds. By carefully controlling the conditions and duration of the milling process, the researchers were able to achieve a high degree of consistency in the size and shape of the resulting particles.
This is crucial because the quality of the nanodiamonds directly affects their ability to detect subtle changes in magnetic fields. The team found that the milled CVD diamonds exhibited similar properties to those produced using more traditional methods, such as high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis.
The researchers used a custom-built confocal microscope to study the optical and spin properties of the nanodiamonds. They discovered that the milled CVD diamonds had longer photoluminescence lifetimes and were less prone to charge instability than their HPHT counterparts.
These findings have significant implications for the development of diamond-based quantum technology. The ability to fabricate high-quality nanodiamonds on a large scale could enable the creation of more sophisticated sensing devices capable of detecting tiny changes in magnetic fields, temperature, and other physical phenomena.
The researchers’ method also offers a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods of producing nanodiamonds. This could make diamond-based quantum technology more accessible to a wider range of researchers and industries.
While there is still much work to be done before these technologies can be widely implemented, the RMIT team’s breakthrough has taken an important step towards realizing the full potential of diamonds in quantum computing and sensing. As scientists continue to refine their techniques and push the boundaries of what is possible with diamond-based technology, we can expect to see even more innovative applications emerge in the future.
Cite this article: “Breakthrough in Diamond Nanotechnology Paves Way for Quantum Computing Advancements”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Diamonds, Quantum Computing, Nanodiamonds, Chemical Vapor Deposition, Cvd Diamonds, Ball Milling, Magnetic Fields, Spin Properties, Photoluminescence Lifetimes, Charge Instability
