A spin-refrigerated cavity quantum electrodynamic sensor

Quantum sensors based on solid-state defects, in particular nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, enable precise measurement of magnetic fields, temperature, rotation, and electric fields. However, the sensitivity of leading NV spin ensemble sensors remains far from the intrinsic spin-projection noise limit. Here we move towards this quantum limit of performance by introducing (i) a cavity quantum electrodynamic (cQED) hybrid system operating in the strong coupling regime, which enables high readout fidelity of an NV ensemble using microwave homodyne detection; (ii) a comprehensive nonlinear model of the cQED sensor operation, including NV ensemble inhomogeneity and optical polarization; and (iii) “spin refrigeration” where the optically-polarized spin ensemble sharply reduces the ambient-temperature microwave thermal noise, resulting in enhanced sensitivity. Applying these advances to magnetometry, we demonstrate a broadband sensitivity of 580 fT/√(Hz) around 15 kHz in ambient conditions. We then discuss the implications of this model for design of future magnetometers, including devices approaching 12 fT/√(Hz) sensitivity. Applications of these techniques extend to the fields of gyroscope and clock technologies.