Electric-field sensing using single diamond spins

Abstract

The ability to sensitively detect individual charges under ambient conditions would benefit a wide range of applications across disciplines. However, most current techniques are limited to low-temperature methods such as single-electron transistors 1,2 , single-electron electrostatic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy 4 . Here we introduce a quantum-metrology technique demonstrating precision three-dimensional electric-field measurement using a single nitrogen-vacancy defect centre spin in diamond. An a.c. electric-field sensitivity reaching 202 ± 6 V cm -1 Hz -1/2 has been achieved. This corresponds to the electric field produced by a single elementary charge located at a d..