Focus on diamond-based photonics and spintronics

Abstract

The ability to control the state of individual atoms is a new challenge for science and technology in the 21st century. Currently, experiments on individual quantum systems such as trapped ions, single molecules, quantum dots, superconducting qubits and photons are crucial for the rapidly growing field of quantum information processing and communication. In general, solid state systems are preferable for scaling and the choice of material plays a crucial role; for example, in classical electronic devices continual performance enhancement and miniaturization is strongly linked to the success of silicon-based technology. For quantum applications, diamond has the potential to become the material of choice, because its large bandgap enables the control of optically active impurities and higher operation temperature. This focus issue collates original research contributions from some of the leading groups in the field as a showcase for the very latest developments in diamond-based quantum technologies. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.