The Diamond Nanoscience Laboratory

The Diamond Nanoscience Laboratory engineers next-generation diamond nanotechnologies for applications in quantum information, ultrahigh-resolution sensing and biomedical applications. It is part of the Quantum Materials & Applications Group (QMAPP) led by Dr Thomas Volz at Macquarie University.

The Diamond Nanoscience team uses custom-built confocal microscopes, both at room and helium temperatures, in combination with an atomic force microscope (AFM), laser sources and microwave equipment, to analyse the optical, physical, and spin properties of the nanodiamonds, down to few-nanometre size. Our cutting-edge setups have enabled important studies on the fluorescence properties of nanodiamonds, including blinking, cooperative forces and superradiance.

Our Research

A major research direction of the lab is the use of nitrogen–vacancy (NV) spins for magnetic sensing, spin physics and quantum photonics. The lab also works with other colour centres, including the silicon–vacancy (SiV) centre and the germanium–vacancy (GeV) centre. Their goal is explore these material's potential in quatum-based applications and engineer quantum systems in a range of areas, from quantum information technology, computing and light–matter interfaces for quantum photonics, to high-resolution and single-spin sensing both in solid-state physics and biomedicine.

We are looking for new PhD students, Postdocs, and Master students! Please contact Thomas Volz, or visit the website

Last updated 22 August 2023
Last reviewed 7 July 2015

Major funding support

Australian Research Council

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.