QDsiM: A Noise-Aware Simulation Toolkit for Quantum Diamond Microscope

TL;DR

This paper introduces QDsiM, a comprehensive simulation toolkit that models realistic noise sources and imperfections in NV-center-based quantum magnetometry, aiding the development of portable quantum sensors.

Contribution

The work presents a detailed, modular simulation framework for NV-based ODMR systems that incorporates various experimentally relevant noise and imperfections.

Findings

Accurately models laser and microwave fluctuations

Captures temperature and surface-induced magnetic perturbations

Simulates optical and microwave power broadening effects

Abstract

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is a leading solid-state platform for room-temperature quantum magnetometry owing to its long spin coherence times, optical spin initialization and readout, and high sensitivity to magnetic, electric, and thermal perturbations. As NV-based optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) systems transition from controlled laboratory environments toward portable and field-deployable sensors, a detailed understanding of realistic noise sources and experimental imperfections becomes essential for optimizing performance and sensitivity. In this work, we present a comprehensive simulation framework, i.e., a digital twin, for continuous-wave wide-field ODMR in NV-center ensembles. The model is built upon a physically consistent seven-level description of the NV center and incorporates a broad range of experimentally relevant noise and imperfection mechanisms as modular, parameterized components. These include laser and microwave amplitude fluctuations, microwave phase noise, uncertainty in the NV gyromagnetic ratio, spin dephasing, temperature-induced shifts of the ground-state zero-field splitting, surface-induced magnetic field perturbations, and photon shot noise. Power broadening and contrast degradation arising from optical and microwave driving are captured self-consistently through linewidth calculations. Also, the spatial inhomogeneity is modeled via a Gaussian laser intensity profile across the sensing region...