New Delhi: In a significant milestone for India’s quantum technology ecosystem, the P-Quest Group at IIT Bombay has unveiled the nation’s first Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
This indigenous innovation represents a major leap in quantum sensing and has earned India its first patent in the field of Quantum Diamond Microscopy.
Quantum Diamond Microscopy: Revolutionizing Magnetic Field Imaging
Formally introduced at the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025), the Quantum Diamond Microscope is designed for dynamic magnetic field imaging with wide-ranging implications across neuroscience, materials research, and semiconductor diagnostics.
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The technology enables non-destructive evaluation of encapsulated semiconductor chips by mapping magnetic fields in three-dimensional (3D) layers, providing unparalleled insight into chip behavior and functionality.
The official unveiling took place in the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology; Prof Ajay K Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; and Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, among other dignitaries.
India’s First Quantum Diamond Microscope Developed by IIT Bombay’s P-Quest Group
The breakthrough was achieved by the P-Quest Group, led by Professor Kasturi Saha, utilizing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. These NV centers – atomic-scale defects characterized by strong quantum coherence even at room temperature – act as sensitive probes for detecting magnetic, electric, and thermal variations at the nanoscale.
Through optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), the QDM translates fluorescence data into precise magnetic field images, enabling widefield, nanoscale 3D visualization comparable to optical microscopy.
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Quantum Diamond Microscopy: Enabling Next-Generation Semiconductor and Biological Research
As 3D chip architectures, cryogenic processors, and autonomous electronics become more complex, traditional diagnostic instruments face limitations in mapping internal charge and current paths.
The Quantum Diamond Microscope overcomes these constraints, allowing researchers to directly observe buried current networks and multilayer charge flow in real time.
Aligned with the National Quantum Mission, Prof. Saha’s team at IIT Bombay envisions integrating Quantum Diamond Microscopy with AI and machine learning-based computational imaging to unlock new possibilities in chip diagnostics, biological imaging, and geological magnetization studies.
This pioneering development not only strengthens India’s position in global quantum technology research but also opens avenues for multidisciplinary innovation across scientific and industrial domains.
