OSE Dissertation Defense by Mr. Maziar Saleh Ziabari on Advancing diamond quantum sensors: phase noise mitigation and isotropic flux concentrators

Departmental News

Jackson Kock

Posted: May 27, 2025

Title:
Advancing diamond quantum sensors: phase noise mitigation and isotropic flux concentrators

Date, Time & Location:
Monday, Jun 30th, 2025, at 09:30 am, PAIS, Room 2540

Dissertation Committee:
Dr. Victor Acosta(Committee Chair), UNM Physics and Astronomy Dept. and CHTM
Dr. Keith Lidke, UNM Physics and Astronomy Dept.
Dr. Tara Drake, UNM Physics and Astronomy Dept. and CHTM
Dr. Terefe Habteyes, UNM Chemistry and  Chemical Biology Dept.

Abstract:
We explore two methods for advancing Nitrogen Vacancy centers (NV centers) in diamond, room-temperature quantum sensors with long coherence times and sub-pT magnetic sensitivities.  We first characterize, model, and calculate the impact of microwave phase noise in NV center magnetic sensing experiments, and demonstrate that phase noise can be a limiting factor in high-sensitivity magnetic sensing.  We then demonstrate a gradiometry-based approach which experimentally mitigates the phase noise by a factor of 10-12x.  Second, we mitigate the spectral congestion problem of NV centers at Earth's field with the construction and characterization of a three-dimensional isotropic flux concentrator, inviting applications in geomagnetic surveys, anomaly detection, and navigation systems.  We achieve a solid angle-weighted enhancement fractional standard deviation of below 1%, and demonstrate minimal deadzones over the solid angle.

Biography:
Maziar Saleh Ziabari's attraction to the self-evident language of Mathematics culminated in his Bachelor's at DePaul University with dual majors in Pure Mathematics and Physics.  Finding Physics a more elegant expression of Mathematics, he published his Master's thesis, Multiwavelength X-Ray Diffraction, at DePaul University.  Fascinated by the intangible concepts of Quantum Mechanics, Maziar transferred to the University of New Mexico's Quantum Optics program in 2016 with a thirst for understanding and experimental expertise.