U.S. patent application number 15/351862 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for magnetometer with light pipe.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Lockheed Martin Corporation. Invention is credited to Gregory S. Bruce, Joseph W. Hahn, Duc Huynh, Wilbur Lew.
Application Number | 20170212186 15/351862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59359668 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170212186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hahn; Joseph W. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
MAGNETOMETER WITH LIGHT PIPE
Abstract
A device includes a diamond assembly. The diamond assembly
includes a diamond with a plurality of nitrogen vacancy centers and
electrical components that emit electromagnetic waves. The device
also includes a light source configured to emit light toward the
diamond and a photo detector configured to detect light from the
light source that traveled through the diamond. The device further
includes an attenuator between the diamond assembly and the photo
detector. The attenuator is configured to attenuate the
electromagnetic waves emitted from the electrical components of the
diamond assembly.
Inventors: |
Hahn; Joseph W.; (Erial,
NJ) ; Bruce; Gregory S.; (Abington, PA) ;
Huynh; Duc; (Princeton Junction, NJ) ; Lew;
Wilbur; (Mount Laurel, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lockheed Martin Corporation |
Bethesda |
MD |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Bethesda
MD
|
Family ID: |
59359668 |
Appl. No.: |
15/351862 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15003281 |
Jan 21, 2016 |
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15351862 |
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PCT/US2016/014386 |
Jan 21, 2016 |
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15003281 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 33/0094 20130101;
G01J 1/0425 20130101; G01R 33/032 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01R 33/032 20060101
G01R033/032; G01R 33/00 20060101 G01R033/00 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: a diamond with a nitrogen vacancy; a light
source configured to transmit light toward the diamond; a first
sensor configured to sense a first portion of the light transmitted
from the light source, wherein the first portion of the light does
not travel through the diamond; a second sensor configured to sense
a second portion of the light transmitted from the light source,
wherein the second portion of the light travels through the
diamond; a third sensor configured to sense a third portion of the
light, wherein the third portion of the light travels through the
diamond to the third sensor; a first light pipe configured to
direct the second portion of the light from the diamond to the
second sensor; a second light pipe configured to direct the third
portion of the light from the diamond to the third sensor, wherein
the first light pipe and the second light pipe are aligned along a
central axis; a first waveguide cutoff filter surrounding the first
light pipe that is configured to attenuate electromagnetic waves;
and a second waveguide cutoff filter surrounding the second light
pipe.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to
emit the second portion of the light and the third portion of the
light in a direction that is perpendicular to the central axis.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first light pipe is located
on an opposite side of the diamond as the second light pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/003,281, filed Jan. 21, 2016, titled
"MAGNETOMETER WITH LIGHT PIPE," which is related to co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/003,292, filed Jan. 21, 2016, titled
"MAGNETOMETER WITH A LIGHT EMITTING DIODE," Atty. Dkt. No.
111423-1033, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/003,298, filed Jan. 21,
2016, titled "DIAMOND NITROGEN VACANCY SENSOR WITH COMMON RF AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS GENERATOR," Atty. Dkt. No. 111423-1034, U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/003,309, filed Jan. 21, 2016, titled
"DIAMOND NITROGEN VACANCY SENSOR WITH DUAL RF SOURCES," Atty. Dkt.
No. 111423-1035, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/003,062, filed Jan.
21, 2016, titled "IMPROVED LIGHT COLLECTION FROM DNV SENSORS,"
Atty. Dkt. No. 111423-1047, each of which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates, in general, to nitrogen
vacancy centers in diamonds. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to using light pipes to transmit light to or
from a diamond with one or more nitrogen vacancies.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The following description is provided to assist the
understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or
references cited is admitted to be prior art. Some diamonds have
defects in the crystal structure that may contain nitrogen. A light
source can be used to excite the defect. In some instances,
transmission of light within a device with the diamond may be
difficult or inefficient.
SUMMARY
[0004] An illustrative device includes a diamond with a nitrogen
vacancy and a light source configured to transmit light toward the
diamond. The device may also include a first sensor configured to
sense a first portion of the light transmitted from the light
source. The first portion of the light may not travel through the
diamond. The device may further include a second sensor configured
to sense a second portion of the light transmitted from the light
source. The second portion of the light may travel through the
diamond. The device may also include a first light pipe configured
to direct the second portion of the light from the diamond to the
second sensor and a first waveguide cutoff filter surrounding the
first light pipe that is configured to attenuate electromagnetic
waves.
[0005] An illustrative device includes a diamond with a nitrogen
vacancy and a light source configured to transmit light toward the
diamond. The device may further include a first sensor configured
to sense a first portion of the light transmitted from the light
source. The first portion of the light may not travel through the
diamond. The device may also include a second sensor configured to
sense a second portion of the light transmitted from the light
source. The second portion of the light may travel through the
diamond. The device may further include a light pipe configured to
direct the second portion of the light from the light source to the
diamond and a waveguide cutoff filter surrounding at least a
portion of the light pipe.
[0006] An illustrative method includes providing power to a light
source. The light source may be configured to emit light toward a
diamond with a nitrogen vacancy. A first portion of the light may
not travel through the diamond and a second portion of the light
may travel through the diamond and through a first light pipe. The
method may also include receiving, at a processor, a first signal
from a first sensor. The first signal may indicate a strength of
the first portion of the light with a first wavelength. The method
may further include receiving, at the processor, a second signal
from a second sensor. The second signal may indicate a strength of
the second portion of the light with a second wavelength. The
method may also include comparing, at the processor, the strength
of the first portion of the light with the first wavelength and the
strength of the second portion of the light with the second
wavelength to determine a strength of a magnetic field applied to
the diamond.
[0007] An illustrative method includes emitting, from a light
source, a first light portion and a second light portion; sensing,
at a first sensor, the first light portion; and sensing, at a
second sensor, the second light portion. The second light portion
may have traveled through a light pipe and a diamond with a
nitrogen vacancy. The method may also include comparing the first
light portion to the second light portion to determine a strength
of a magnetic field applied to the diamond.
[0008] An illustrative device includes a diamond assembly. The
diamond assembly may include a diamond with a plurality of nitrogen
vacancy centers and electrical components that emit electromagnetic
waves. The device may also include a light source configured to
emit light toward the diamond and a photo detector configured to
detect light from the light source that traveled through the
diamond. The device may further include an attenuator between the
diamond assembly and the photo detector. The attenuator may be
configured to attenuate the electromagnetic waves emitted from the
electrical components of the diamond assembly.
[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative
aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the following drawings and the detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a magnetometer with a light
pipe in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.
[0011] FIGS. 1B and 1C are isometric views of a light pipe and a
shield in accordance with illustrative embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a magnetometer with two light
pipes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a magnetometer with two light
pipes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing device in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for measuring a
magnetic field in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.
[0016] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the following description and appended
claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments
in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be
considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described
with additional specificity and detail through use of the
accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the
drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components,
unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments
described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not
meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other
changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of
the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood
that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described
herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged,
substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make
part of this disclosure.
[0018] Nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV centers) are defects in a
diamond's crystal structure, which can purposefully be manufactured
in synthetic diamonds. In general, when excited by light (e.g.,
green light) and microwave radiation, the NV centers cause the
diamond to generate red light. When an excited NV center diamond is
exposed to an external magnetic field, the frequency of the
microwave radiation at which the diamond generates red light and
the intensity of the light change. By measuring this change and
comparing the frequency of the microwave radiation of which the
diamond generates red light when exposed to the external magnetic
field to the microwave frequency at which the diamond generates red
light at when not in the presence of the external magnetic field,
the NV centers can be used to accurately detect the magnetic field
strength.
[0019] In many instances, a light source is used to provide light
to the diamond. The more light that is transmitted through the
diamond, the more light can be detected and analyzed to determine
the amount of red light emitted from the diamond. The amount of red
light can be used to determine the strength of the magnetic field
applied to the diamond. In some instances, photo detectors used to
detect the amount of red light (or any suitable wavelength of
light) are sensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
However, in some cases electromagnetic signals can be emitted from
electrical components near the diamond. In such cases, EMI from the
diamond assembly can affect the photo detectors.
[0020] In some cases, EMI glass can be used to block and/or absorb
EMI signals from the diamond assembly (or associated electronics or
signals). Thus, if EMI glass is placed between the diamond and the
photo detector, the amount of EMI affecting the photo detector can
be reduced. To increase the sensitivity of the magnetometer, the
amount of light emitted from the diamond that is sensed by the
photo detector can be increased. Thus, in some instances,
sensitivity of the magnetometer is reduced by inefficient
transmission of light between the diamond and the photo detector.
In many instances, EMI glass is an inefficient transmitter of
light. For example, metal embedded in the EMI glass can absorb,
block, or reflect light traveling through the EMI glass.
[0021] In some embodiments, an EMI shield can be used to block EMI
from the diamond assembly. In such embodiments, the EMI shield may
include a hole that allows light to pass to or from the diamond.
Depending upon the size of the hole in the EMI shield, some EMI may
pass through the hole. Thus, the smaller the hole, the more EMI is
prevented from passing through.
[0022] In some instances, a light pipe may be used to transmit
light through the hole in the EMI shield. For example, light from a
light source can pass through a diamond and through a hole in an
EMI shield. The light can be collected by a light pipe and travel
through the light pipe to a photo detector. In general, light pipes
are efficient at transmitting light. Thus, a relatively high
percentage of light that is emitted from the diamond can be
transferred to the photo detector. Any suitable light pipe (e.g., a
homogenizing rod) can be used.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a magnetometer with a light
pipe in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. An illustrative
magnetometer 100 includes a light source 105, a diamond 115, a
light pipe 125, a photo detector 135, and a shield 145. In
alternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different
elements may be used.
[0024] As explained above, the magnitude of the magnetic field
applied to the diamond 115 by, for example, a magnet 140 can be
determined by measuring the amount of red light in the light
emitted from the diamond 115. The light source 105 emits source
light 110 to the diamond 115. In some embodiments, one or more
components can be used to focus the source light 110 to the diamond
115. The light passes through the diamond 115, and the modulated
light 120 passes through the hole in the shield 145. To pass
through the hole in the shield 145, the modulated light 120 enters
and passes through the light pipe 125. The transmitted light 130,
which passed through the hole in the shield 145, exits the light
pipe 125 and is detected by the photo detector 135.
[0025] Any suitable photo detector 135 can be used. In an
illustrative embodiment, the photo detector 135 includes one or
more photo diodes. In some embodiments, the photo detector 135 can
be an image sensor. The image sensor can be configured to detect
light and/or electromagnetic waves. The image sensor can be a
semiconductor charge-coupled device (CCD) or an active pixel sensor
in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or N-type
metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) technologies. Any other suitable
image sensor can be used.
[0026] In some instances, the diamond 115 is surrounded by one or
more components that emit EMI. For example, a Helmholtz coil can
surround the diamond. In some instances, a two-dimensional or a
three-dimensional Helmholtz coil can be used. For example, the
Helmholtz coil can be used to cancel out the earth's magnetic field
by applying a magnetic field with an equal magnitude but opposite
direction of the earth's magnetic field. In alternative
embodiments, the Helmholtz coil can be used to cancel any suitable
magnetic field and/or apply any suitable magnetic field to the
diamond. In another example, a microwave generator and/or modulator
can be located near the diamond to use microwaves to excite the NV
centers of the diamond. The microwave generator and/or modulator
can emit EMI that can interfere with the photo detectors.
[0027] The shield 145 can shield the photo detector 135 from the
EMI. For example, the shield 145 can be a material that attenuates
electromagnetic signals. In some embodiments, the shield 145 can be
solid metal such as a metal foil. In alternative embodiments,
materials such as glass, plastic, or paper can be coated or infused
with a metal. Protecting the photo detector 135 from EMI allows the
magnetometer to be more sensitive because the reduction in EMI
reduces the amount of noise in the signal received from the photo
detector 135. In some instances, protecting the photo detector 135
from EMI protects the fidelity of the magnetometer because the
signal received from the photo detector 135 is more accurate. That
is, protecting the photo detector 135 from EMI helps to ensure that
a reliable and accurate signal is received from the photo detector
135 because there is less noise in the signal. For example, the
noise may include a direct current (DC) offset.
[0028] The light pipe 125 can be made of any suitable material. For
example, the light pipe 125 can be made of quartz, silica, glass,
etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the light pipe 125 is made of
optical glass such as BK7 or BK9 optical glass. In alternative
embodiments, any suitable material can be used.
[0029] In some embodiments, one or more of the faces of the light
pipe 125 can include a filter. For example, the face of the light
pipe 125 can filter out non-green light and allow green light to
pass through the light pipe 125, for example, to the diamond 115.
In another example, light from diamond can pass through a face of
the light pipe 125 that filters out non-red light and permits red
light to pass through the light pipe 125 to the photo detector 135.
In alternative embodiments, any suitable filtering mechanism can be
used.
[0030] FIGS. 1B and 1C are isometric views of a light pipe and a
shield in accordance with illustrative embodiments. In alternative
embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different elements may be
used. As shown in FIG. 1B, the light pipe 125 is surrounded axially
by the shield 145. In an illustrative embodiment, the light pipe
125 and the shield 145 are coaxial. The cross-sectional shape of
the light pipe 125 can be any suitable shape. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1B, the cross-sectional shape of the light pipe
125 is circular. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the
cross-sectional shape of the light pipe 125 is octagonal. In
alternative embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the light
pipe 125 can be triangular, square, rectangular, or any other
suitable shape. Similarly, in the cross-sectional shape of the
shield 145 can be any suitable shape. In an illustrative
embodiment, the outer shape of the shield 145 is suited to fit
against the wall of a housing that houses the diamond 115, the
photo detector 135, the light pipe 125, etc.
[0031] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the
length of the light pipe 125 is the same as the length of the
shield 145. In alternative embodiments, the light pipe 125 can be
longer than the shield 145. For example, the light pipe 125 may
extend beyond the end surface of the shield 145 at one or both
ends. In an illustrative embodiment, the shield 145 is one inch
long. In alternative embodiments, the shield 145 can be shorter or
longer than one inch long. For example, in embodiments in which
greater attenuation is beneficial, such as with a more sensitive
photo detector 135, the shield 145 can be longer. In an
illustrative embodiment, the light pipe 125 can be two inches long.
In alternative embodiments, the light pipe 125 can be shorter or
longer than two inches long. For example, the light pipe 125 can be
a length suitable to fit within a housing or arrangement of
elements.
[0032] In some embodiments, the light pipe 125 can be tapered along
the length of the light pipe 125. For example, the diameter of the
light pipe 125 at one end can be large than the diameter of the
light pipe 125 at the opposite end. Any suitable ratio of diameters
can be used. In an illustrative embodiment, a light pipe 125 can be
used to transmit light from the light source 105, which can be a
light emitting diode, to the diamond 115. Using a tapered light
pipe 125 can help to focus the light exiting the light pipe 125 to
enter the diamond 115 at a more perpendicular angle than if a
non-tapered light pipe 125 were to be used. In such an example, the
narrow end can be adjacent to the light source 105 and the wide end
can be adjacent to the diamond 115.
[0033] The size of the aperture in the middle of the shield 145 can
be sized to block one or more particular frequencies of EMI. For
example, the diameter of the light pipe 125 can be between five and
six millimeters. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the
light pipe 125 can be less than five millimeters or greater than
six millimeters. In an illustrative embodiment, the light pipe 125
is sized to have a cross-sectional area that is the same size or
slightly larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the diamond 115.
In such embodiments, the light pipe 125 is sized to capture as much
of the light emitted from the diamond 115 as possible while
minimizing the inner diameter of the shield 145 (and, therefore,
maximizing the shielding effect of the shield 145).
[0034] In an illustrative embodiment, light from an LED that enters
the light pipe 125 in an uneven pattern can exit the light pipe 125
in a more uniform pattern. That is, the light pipe 125 can evenly
distribute the light over the surface area of the diamond 115 or
the photo detector 135. The light pipe 125 can prevent the light
from diverging. Thus, in some embodiments, the light pipe 125 can
be used in place of a lens.
[0035] The outer diameter of the shield 145 can be any suitable
size. For example, the outer diameter of the shield 145 can be
sized to block or attenuate electromagnetic signals from the
diamond apparatus thereby protecting the photo detector.
[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the light pipe 125 passes
through the shield 145. That is, the shield 145 surrounds the light
pipe 145 along at least a length of the light pipe 125. In some
embodiments, the shield 145 surrounds the length of the light pipe
125.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a magnetometer with two light
pipes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. An
illustrative magnetometer 200 includes two light pipes 125, two
shields 145, a diamond 115, a photo detector 135, and a photo
detector 150. In alternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or
different elements may be used.
[0038] The magnetometer 200 includes a light source 105 that sends
source light 110 into a light pipe 125. Some of the light
transmitted from the light source 105 can be sensed by the photo
detector 150. In some embodiments, the light sensed by the photo
detector 150 is transmitted through the light pipe 125. In
alternative embodiments, the light sensed by the photo detector 150
does not travel through the light pipe 125. As discussed above with
regard to the magnetometer 100, the diamond 115 may be associated
with electrical components that emit EMI that may interfere with
the performance of the photo detector 150. In such instances, one
of the shield 145 may be placed between the diamond 115 and the
photo detector 150. Light from the light source 105 may travel
through the light pipe 125, through the hole in the shield 145, and
into the diamond 115.
[0039] As discussed with regard to the magnetometer 100 of FIG. 1,
a shield 145 may be used to protect the photo detector 135 from EMI
emitted from circuitry associated with the diamond 115. Thus, the
magnetometer 200 includes a shield 145 on either side of the
diamond 115 and the electrical components associated with the
diamond 115.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a magnetometer with two light
pipes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The
magnetometer 300 includes a light source 105, a diamond 115, two
light pipes 125 with associated shields 145, and two photo
detectors 135. In alternative embodiments, additional, fewer,
and/or different elements may be used. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3, the source light 110 from the light source
105 passes through the diamond 115. The light that enters the
diamond 115 can be split and can exit the diamond 115 in two
streams of modulated light 120. In some embodiments, the two
streams of modulated light 120 are in opposite directions. In
alternative embodiments, the two streams of modulated light 120 are
in any suitable orientation to one another. In some embodiments,
the two streams of modulated light 120 exit the diamond 115 in
directions orthogonal to the direction in which the source light
110 enters the diamond 115.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a magnetometer with two light streams
exiting the diamond 115. In alternative embodiments, the
magnetometer can be used with three or more light streams that exit
the diamond 115. For example, if the diamond 115 is a cube, light
can enter the diamond 115 on one of the six sides. In such an
example, up to five light streams can exit the diamond 115 via the
five other sides. Each of the five light streams can be transmitted
to one of five photo detectors 135. Using two or more light streams
that exit the diamond 115, which are sensed by associated photo
detectors 135, can provide increased sensitivity. Each of the light
streams contains the same information. That is, the light streams
contain the same amount of red light. Each light stream provides
one of the multiple photo detectors a sample of the light. Thus, in
embodiments in which multiple light streams from the diamond are
used, multiple samples of the same light are gathered. Having
multiple samples provides redundancies and allows the system to
verify measurements. In some embodiments, the multiple measurements
can be averaged or otherwise combined. The combined value can be
used to determine the magnetic field applied to the diamond.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computing device in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment. An illustrative
computing device 400 includes a memory 410, a processor 405, a
transceiver 415, a user interface 420, a power source 425, and an
magnetometer 430. In alternative embodiments, additional, fewer,
and/or different elements may be used. The computing device 400 can
be any suitable device described herein. For example, the computing
device 400 can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a
smartphone, a specialized computing device, etc. The computing
device 400 can be used to implement one or more of the methods
described herein.
[0043] In an illustrative embodiment, the memory 410 is an
electronic holding place or storage for information so that the
information can be accessed by the processor 405. The memory 410
can include, but is not limited to, any type of random access
memory (RAM), any type of read only memory (ROM), any type of flash
memory, etc. such as magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk,
floppy disk, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact
disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), etc.), smart cards, flash
memory devices, etc. The computing device 400 may have one or more
computer-readable media that use the same or a different memory
media technology. The computing device 400 may have one or more
drives that support the loading of a memory medium such as a CD, a
DVD, a flash memory card, etc.
[0044] In an illustrative embodiment, the processor 405 executes
instructions. The instructions may be carried out by a special
purpose computer, logic circuits, or hardware circuits. The
processor 405 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software,
or any combination thereof. The term "execution" is, for example,
the process of running an application or the carrying out of the
operation called for by an instruction. The instructions may be
written using one or more programming language, scripting language,
assembly language, etc. The processor 405 executes an instruction,
meaning that it performs the operations called for by that
instruction. The processor 405 operably couples with the user
interface 420, the transceiver 415, the memory 410, etc. to
receive, to send, and to process information and to control the
operations of the computing device 400. The processor 405 may
retrieve a set of instructions from a permanent memory device such
as a ROM device and copy the instructions in an executable form to
a temporary memory device that is generally some form of RAM. An
illustrative computing device 400 may include a plurality of
processors that use the same or a different processing technology.
In an illustrative embodiment, the instructions may be stored in
memory 410.
[0045] In an illustrative embodiment, the transceiver 415 is
configured to receive and/or transmit information. In some
embodiments, the transceiver 415 communicates information via a
wired connection, such as an Ethernet connection, one or more
twisted pair wires, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, etc. In
some embodiments, the transceiver 415 communicates information via
a wireless connection using microwaves, infrared waves, radio
waves, spread spectrum technologies, satellites, etc. The
transceiver 415 can be configured to communicate with another
device using cellular networks, local area networks, wide area
networks, the Internet, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of
the elements of the computing device 400 communicate via wired or
wireless communications. In some embodiments, the transceiver 415
provides an interface for presenting information from the computing
device 400 to external systems, users, or memory. For example, the
transceiver 415 may include an interface to a display, a printer, a
speaker, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the transceiver 415
may also include alarm/indicator lights, a network interface, a
disk drive, a computer memory device, etc. In an illustrative
embodiment, the transceiver 415 can receive information from
external systems, users, memory, etc.
[0046] In an illustrative embodiment, the user interface 420 is
configured to receive and/or provide information from/to a user.
The user interface 420 can be any suitable user interface. The user
interface 420 can be an interface for receiving user input and/or
machine instructions for entry into the computing device 400. The
user interface 420 may use various input technologies including,
but not limited to, a keyboard, a stylus and/or touch screen, a
mouse, a track ball, a keypad, a microphone, voice recognition,
motion recognition, disk drives, remote controllers, input ports,
one or more buttons, dials, joysticks, etc. to allow an external
source, such as a user, to enter information into the computing
device 400. The user interface 420 can be used to navigate menus,
adjust options, adjust settings, adjust display, etc.
[0047] The user interface 420 can be configured to provide an
interface for presenting information from the computing device 400
to external systems, users, memory, etc. For example, the user
interface 420 can include an interface for a display, a printer, a
speaker, alarm/indicator lights, a network interface, a disk drive,
a computer memory device, etc. The user interface 420 can include a
color display, a cathode-ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display
(LCD), a plasma display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
display, etc.
[0048] In an illustrative embodiment, the power source 425 is
configured to provide electrical power to one or more elements of
the computing device 400. In some embodiments, the power source 425
includes an alternating power source, such as available line
voltage (e.g., 120 Volts alternating current at 60 Hertz in the
United States). The power source 425 can include one or more
transformers, rectifiers, etc. to convert electrical power into
power useable by the one or more elements of the computing device
400, such as 1.5 Volts, 8 Volts, 12 Volts, 24 Volts, etc. The power
source 425 can include one or more batteries.
[0049] In an illustrative embodiment, the computing device 400
includes a magnetometer 430. In other embodiments, magnetometer 430
is an independent device and is not integrated into the computing
device 400. The magnetometer 430 can be configured to measure
magnetic fields. For example, the magnetometer 430 can be the
magnetometer 100, the magnetometer 200, the magnetometer 300, or
any suitable magnetometer. The magnetometer 430 can communicate
with one or more of the other components of the computing device
400 such as the processor 405, the memory 410, etc. For example,
one or more photo detectors of the magnetometer 430 can transmit a
signal to the processor 405 indicating an amount of light detected
by the photo detector. The signal can be used to determine the
strength and/or direction of the magnetic field applied to the
diamond of the magnetometer 430. In alternative embodiments, any
suitable component of the magnetometer 430 can transmit a signal to
other components of the computing device 400 (e.g., the processor
405), such as a Helmholtz coil, a source light photo detector, one
or more modulated light photo detectors, a light source, etc.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for measuring a
magnetic field in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In
alternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different
operations may be performed. Also, the use of a flow chart and
arrows is not meant to be limiting with respect to the order or
flow of operations. For example, in some embodiments, one or more
of the operations can be performed simultaneously.
[0051] In an operation 505, light is generated by a light source.
Any suitable light source can be used. For example, lasers or light
emitting diodes can be used. In some embodiments, sunlight or
environmental light can be used as the light source. In an
illustrative embodiment, the light generated by the light source is
green light or blue light. In some embodiments, a filter can be
used to filter out undesirable light frequencies (e.g., red
light).
[0052] In an operation 510, light from the light source is sensed.
In an illustrative embodiment, the light can be sensed using a
photo detector. In some embodiments, the photo detector is
sensitive to electromagnetic interference. In some embodiments, the
operation 510 is not performed. For example, in some embodiments,
light from the diamond is sensed and the sensed light signal is
compared to a pre-determined reference value.
[0053] In an operation 515, light from the light source is
transmitted through a first light pipe. In embodiments in which
light from the light source is sensed using a photo detector
located between the light source and the diamond, the first light
pipe can be surrounded by a material that attenuates EMI. In such
embodiments, EMI from electrical components near the diamond can be
attenuated via the material such that the photo detector is not
affected by or is less affected by the EMI. In some embodiments,
such as those in which the operation 510 is not performed, the
operation 515 may not be performed.
[0054] In an operation 520, light from the light source is
transmitted through the diamond. In embodiments in which the
operation 515 is performed, light from the first light pipe is
transmitted through the diamond. As mentioned above, the diamond
can include NV centers that are affected by magnetic fields. The
amount of red light emitted from the diamond (e.g., via the NV
centers) can change based on the applied magnetic field.
[0055] In an operation 525, light emitted from the diamond is
transmitted through a second light pipe. In an operation 530, light
from the second light pipe is sensed. In an illustrative
embodiment, the light is sensed via a light detector that is
sensitive to EMI. In such embodiments, the light pipe can be
surrounded by material that attenuates EMI from electrical
components near the diamond, such as a Helmholtz coil or a
microwave generator/modulator.
[0056] In an operation 535, a magnetic field point is determined.
In an illustrative embodiment, the magnetic field point is a vector
with a magnitude and a direction. In alternative embodiments, the
operation 535 includes determining a magnitude or a direction. In
embodiments in which operation 510 is performed, the operation 535
can include comparing the amount of green light (or any other
suitable wavelength) emitted from the light source with the amount
of detected red light (or any other suitable wavelength) that was
transmitted through the second light pipe. In alternative
embodiments, the amount of detected red light that was transmitted
through the second light pipe is compared to a baseline amount. In
alternative embodiments, any suitable method of determining the
magnetic field point can be used.
[0057] In an illustrative embodiment, any of the operations
described herein can be implemented at least in part as
computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable
memory. Upon execution of the computer-readable instructions by a
processor, the computer-readable instructions can cause a node to
perform the operations.
[0058] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates
different components contained within, or connected with, different
other components. It is to be understood that such depicted
architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other
architectures can be implemented which achieve the same
functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components
to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such
that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two
components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality
can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired
functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or
intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated
can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably
coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and
any two components capable of being so associated can also be
viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the
desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable
include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or
physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable
and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically
interacting and/or logically interactable components.
[0059] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or
singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate
from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[0060] It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where
a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is
used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a
system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least
one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that virtually any
disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the
terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase
"A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or
"B" or "A and B." Further, unless otherwise noted, the use of the
words "approximate," "about," "around," "substantially," etc., mean
plus or minus ten percent.
[0061] The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has
been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It
is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the
precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from
practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
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