The field of microscopy has seen multiple noteworthy and major technological shifts, from optical microscopes to electron and atomic force microscopes (AFM). A new and emerging platform is the quantum microscope, where the measurement probe itself is a quantum object, allowing for enhanced sensitivity and the capability to image quantum effects.

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond is a proven tool for such a microscope. Its unique room temperature properties and atom-like size allows for sensing and imaging at the nanoscale in ambient conditions.
I will talk about the work done here at ANU to develop such a quantum microscope. To do this, we have married AFM and confocal microscopy techniques with quantum measurement protocols.