Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs)

• FNDs are nanometre-sized diamonds made of carbon nanoparticles and are produced under high temperature and high-pressure conditions.
• They exhibit fluorescence without blinking and are stable under light. They are non-toxic to living organisms, making them suitable for biological applications. 
• Properties of FNDs –
• Fluorescence: FNDs have a long fluorescence lifespan (>10 nanoseconds), superior to other fluorescent nanoparticles like quantum dots. Unlike other nanomaterials, FNDs maintain consistent fluorescence over time.
• Stability and non-toxicity: They are resistant to photobleaching and degradation under prolonged irradiation. They are non-toxic and safe for use in living cells and organisms.
• Quantum Properties: They contain nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, which are defects in the diamond lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom adjacent to a vacancy. NV Centers host electron spin qubits, essential for quantum computing and sensing applications.
• Applications of FNDs –
• Biomedical Imaging and Sensing:
• In High-resolution imaging, used as fluorescent markers in correlative microscopy. In Cell Tracking, monitors cells and their progeny over extended periods due to their stable fluorescence. NV centers in FNDs can act as nanoscale thermometers.
• Quantum Computing and Information: NV centers can be manipulated for quantum computation & potential use in storing information at quantum level.
• Fundamental Physics Research: Spinning FNDs at ultra-high speeds to study quantum effects at macroscopic scales. Measuring phase differences in spin qubits due to rotation.
• Industrial Sensors: Levitated FNDs can detect minute changes, useful in designing gyroscopes and sensors.

Dig Deeper: Read about Quantum Computing, spin qubits and berry phase