Optical defects in diamond are forging new frontiers in various quantum technologies, including nanoscale quantum sensing, quantum computing and quantum communications. Indeed, a single defect can be used to produce nanoscale magnetic resonance or electrostatic images of single molecules. Several defects can be clustered together to form a qubit register for room temperature quantum computing or optically entangled to form a network for quantum communications. These remarkable technologies have diverse interdisciplinary applications that range from fundamental science to biomedicine.

In this seminar, I will discuss how the basic research of optical defects in diamond has led to the innovation of several quantum technologies. I will then outline the new research directions and emerging technologies, including a nanoscale force sensor for biomechanics and a long-range qubit bus for scalable room temperature quantum computing.

Dr Doherty obtained his PhD in 2012 from the University of Melbourne. His PhD thesis constituted the first complete theory of the NV centre in diamond and was awarded the Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in the PhD Thesis. Following his PhD, Dr Doherty joined the Laser Physics Centre as a Postdoctoral Fellow under the supervision of Prof Neil Manson. In this role, Dr Doherty has continued to further the understanding of optical defects in diamond and has been central to the innovation of several quantum technologies.