Physicists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have developed a technology that uses quantum sensors to measure biomagnetic signals, such as heart activity. Researchers from the DIAQNOS (DIAmond-based Quantum Sensing for NeurOSurgery) flagship project, coordinated by Dr. Arne Wickenbrock in Mainz, have demonstrated the potential of quantum technology for future medical applications.

To this end, researchers in the group led by Dr. Dmitry Budker—a member of the PRISMA⁺⁺ Cluster of Excellence and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz—used nitrogen vacancies (NV) in diamonds, as reported in an article in the journal Science Advances.

Muhib Omar, a doctoral student in Budker’s research group and the coordinating author of the article, developed the new quantum sensor during his doctoral research.