DC Quantum Magnetometry Below the Ramsey Limit

Abstract

We demonstrate quantum sensing of dc magnetic fields that exceeds the sensitivity of conventional $T_2^\ast$-limited dc magnetometry by more than an order of magnitude. We used nitrogen-vacancy centers in a diamond rotating at periods comparable to the spin coherence time, and characterize the dependence of magnetic sensitivity on measurement time and rotation speed. Our method up-converts only the dc field of interest and preserves the quantum coherence of the sensor. These results definitively improve the sensitivity of a quantum magnetometer to dc fields, an important and useful addition to the quantum sensing toolbox.