When most people think of diamonds, they picture jewelry, but researchers at the University of Luxembourg have been investigating a very different side of this material. In collaboration with international partners, they have discovered that diamonds hold promising applications in quantum technologies and medical imaging.
Turning insulators into conductors
Led by Prof. Ludger Wirtz, and with key contributions from Dr. Sven Reichardt, student Amir Hossein Talebi, and Dr. Nicolò Maccaferri, the team explored how diamonds behave when a small amount of boron is added.
While diamonds are typically excellent insulators and do not conduct electrical current, adding boron atoms significantly changes their electronic properties. This transformation allows the diamond to interact with electromagnetic waves in novel ways.
Notably, the boron atoms create “holes” – positive charge carriers – within the diamond. This results in unusual electrical oscillations called “inter-valence band plasmons”.
This surprising behavior suggests that boron-doped diamonds could be used to manipulate light at the quantum level, a key step toward advancing future quantum technologies.
Quantum Applications
Quantum computing, quantum optics, and quantum cryptography all rely on the precise manipulation of light and energy in materials. One of the central challenges is controlling individual photons – the smallest units of light –
which play a vital role in enabling quantum devices to perform correctly and efficiently.
Thanks to their unique electronic behavior, boron-doped diamonds could offer a powerful new way to guide and control photons with greater precision than existing materials, opening the door to more advanced and reliable quantum technologies.
Diamonds as a doctor’s best friend
The potential of boron-doped diamonds goes beyond quantum physics. They could also play a role in medicine, particularly in nanoscale imaging.
Researchers are investigating how tiny diamond particles could help doctors visualise specific tissues or cells more clearly within the human body. These particles respond to different types of light – like infrared or ultraviolet – which makes them ideal for high-resolution medical scans.
However, Prof. Wirtz points out that “More research is needed into the biocompatibility of these nanodiamonds before clinical applications can be realised.”
The future of diamond-based quantum technologies
Looking ahead, the University of Luxembourg plans to explore how the light released by diamond nanoparticles interacts with certain vibrations within the diamond itself. These interactions might provide the foundation for optical quantum computers.
Still, challenges remain. Decoherence, a phenomenon that disrupts quantum behavior through environmental noise, must be better understood and mitigated.
This is a key focus of the newly funded FNR project QUANCOM, which investigates quantum dynamics in condensed matter systems. Lead by University Professor Aurélia Chenu, the consortium of researchers aims to deepen their understanding of quantum interactions and limit the impact of environmental disturbances.
Whether used in quantum devices, optical sensors, or biomedical tools, boron-doped diamond demonstrates cross-sector potential. For Luxembourg’s innovation-driven economy, this research creates new opportunities at the intersection of science and industry.