IIT Bombay develops India’s first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM)

Under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST, GoI), the P-Quest Group at IIT Bombay has developed India’s first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) for dynamic magnetic field imaging. This breakthrough has earned India its first patent in quantum sensing technology.

🔹 Key Highlights

• Development: Led by Professor Kasturi Saha at IIT Bombay’s P-Quest Group.
• Technology Basis: Uses nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond — atomic-scale defects formed by a nitrogen atom adjacent to a vacancy.
• Quantum Advantage: NV centers maintain robust quantum coherence at room temperature, making them highly sensitive to magnetic, electric, and thermal variations.
• Announcement: Formally unveiled during the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025).

🔹 Applications and Potential

• Neuroscience and Materials Research: Enables high-resolution, dynamic mapping of magnetic fields.
• Semiconductor Industry: Facilitates non-destructive evaluation of semiconductor chips by mapping magnetic fields in 3D layers within encapsulated chips.
• Other Uses: Potential applications in integrated circuits, batteries, and microelectronic devices for nanoscale magnetic field imaging.

🔹 Significance

• Marks a milestone in India’s quantum sensing capabilities and strengthens quantum technology research ecosystem.
• Offers a novel platform for 3D magnetic imaging at nanoscale, paving the way for advanced material characterization.
• Supports India’s ambition under the National Quantum Mission to be a global leader in quantum technologies.

Source: PIB