Sensors are an integral part of our daily lives and enable countless technological advances. In my talk, I will introduce the world's smallest sensor, which happens to be a defect in the structure of a diamond. This quantum system, which is only the size of a single atom, has demonstrated extraordinary abilities to measure magnetic, electrical and temperature changes at previously unattainable levels. I will provide an overview of this cutting-edge topic and discuss its applications, including the analysis of new materials and the improvement of the resolution of current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the examination of individual cells.
The "Physik Modern" lecture series in the quantum year 2025 offers insights into various areas of quantum physics, from the history of the theory's origins to its postulates and current research. The lectures are organized by LMU Physics and the Cluster of Excellence Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology and present current research areas of the Faculty of Physics at LMU Munich and the participating Max Planck Institutes in a generally understandable way. The lecture series is aimed at a broad public interested in the subject. After the lecture there will be room for discussion and personal dialogue.