{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":11485,"title":"Diamond Electron-Spin Clocks For Space Navigation and Communication","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10668,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10667,"level":3,"code":"TX05.4.1","title":"Timekeeping and Time Distribution","definition":"Timekeeping and time distribution technologies include integrated, space-qualified systems with ultra-high time accuracy and frequency stability, long lifetimes, high operability and reliability, as well as technologies and architectures for distributing precise time and frequency signals or information to distributed points in a network.","exampleTechnologies":"Atomic clocks, ultra-high performance crystal oscillators","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"This solid-state alternative to atomic clocks could benefit a range of NASA capabilities: smaller, lower-power clocks in satellites; uninterruptable/jam-tolerant GPS navigation; compact satellites; formation flying; deep-space space-craft; and micro-satellites. The program would also advance our theoretical understanding of possible high-performance gyroscopes for navigation and magnetic gradiometers for magnetic imaging at security checks or in the field.","description":"Precision clocks are needed in a broad range of applications, including satellite communication, high-bandwidth wireless communication, computing systems, and navigation, such as the global positioning system (GPS). The most accurate time and frequency standards developed to date are atomic clocks, which derive their stability from electronic transitions in atoms. But atomic clocks, which rely on atomic gases or trapped ions and atoms, are large and difficult to assemble and control. By contrast, a solid-state alternative leveraging modern semiconductor technology would be ideal for integration in a range of devices, may be orders of magnitude smaller, lighter, and be more durable in a range of potentially harsh environments. The material hardness, rigidity, and compactness of the proposed solid-state atomic clock analog makes it ideal for space applications. In particular, in this program, we propose to develop a solid-state alternative to atomic clocks, implementing our recent theoretical proposal for frequency locking to magnetic sub-levels of the nitrogen vacancy (NV) color center in diamond. Due to the NVs exceptionally long spin coherence time, a high density of spins in the solid, and optical spin detection, we estimate a time stability that rivals or exceeds the performance of the newest chip-scale Cs and Rb standards, but in a package that is at least 2 orders of magnitude smaller and lighter. Developing an atom-like standard in a solid state host promises rapid integration into semi-conductor fabrication processes, thus achieving a technological breakthrough in portable standards. The goal of the proposed program is to (i) develop a diamond-based, 2.87-GHz CMOS-integrated clock employing electronic transitions in ensembles of the diamond NV center, and to reach an Allan deviation better than 10^12/(integration_time)^1/2, matching or exceeding the performance of compact atomic clocks; and (ii) to establish a full quantum-theoretic understanding of spin-based frequency and time standards based on color centers in diamond, promising advanced spin clock protocols. Solid-state implementations of high- performance atomic gyroscopes and atomic magnetic gradiometers will be investigated. This solid-state alternative to atomic clocks could benefit a range of NASA capabilities: smaller, lower-power clocks in satellites; uninterruptable/jam-tolerant GPS navigation; compact satellites; formation flying; deep-space space-craft; and micro-satellites. The program would also advance our theoretical understanding of possible high-performance gyroscopes for navigation and magnetic gradiometers for magnetic imaging at security checks or in the field.","startYear":2013,"startMonth":2,"endYear":2016,"endMonth":11,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":122729,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Dirk","lastName":"Englund","fullName":"Dirk Englund","fullNameInverted":"Englund, Dirk","primaryEmail":"englund@columbia.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":84634,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Claudia","lastName":"Meyer","fullName":"Claudia M Meyer","fullNameInverted":"Meyer, Claudia M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"claudia.m.meyer@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":84634,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Claudia","lastName":"Meyer","fullName":"Claudia M Meyer","fullNameInverted":"Meyer, Claudia M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"claudia.m.meyer@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":183514,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Hung","lastName":"Nguyen","fullName":"Hung D Nguyen","fullNameInverted":"Nguyen, Hung D","middleInitial":"D","primaryEmail":"hung.d.nguyen@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":405315,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Thompson","fullName":"Robert J Thompson","fullNameInverted":"Thompson, Robert J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"robert.j.thompson@jpl.nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"coInvestigators":[{"contactId":174535,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Hannah","lastName":"Clevenson","fullName":"Hannah A Clevenson","fullNameInverted":"Clevenson, Hannah A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"hannah.a.clevenson@jpl.nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/home/index.html","libraryItems":[{"caption":"Project Image Diamond Electron-Spin Clocks For Space Navigation and Communication","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":313951,"fileName":"11485-1363183249913","fileSize":194342,"objectId":306532,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"189.8 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":313951,"fileName":"11485-1363183249913","fileSize":194342,"objectId":306532,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"189.8 KB"}],"id":306532,"title":"11485-1363183249913.jpg","description":"Project Image Diamond Electron-Spin Clocks For Space Navigation and Communication","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":11485,"primary":true,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":75601,"projectId":11485,"transitionDate":"2016-11-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"The goal of this work was to develop a diamond-based, 2.87-GHz clock employing electronic transitions in ensembles of the diamond nitrogen vacancy (NV) center, by efficiently utilizing large ensembles of NV centers in diamond and to establish an understanding of spin-based frequency and time standards based on color centers in diamond. This work is in support of Technology Area Breakdown Structure (TABS) element TA05.4.1: Timekeeping – near term goal: semi-autonomous pinpoint landing with 100 meter accuracy and mm-level formation control by 2016 (improved timekeeping can begin to remove navigation as a mission constraint) and the Space Technology Grand Challenge: Enable Transformational Space Exploration and Scientific Discovery for High-Mass Planetary Surface Access (entry, descent, and landing systems require high-performance timekeeping for collision avoidance) as well as New Tools of Discovery (many sensors rely on excellent timekeeping). Relevant work is being done in the Quantum Sciences and Technology group at JPL (on-site summer 2013, visit during summer 2015, and continued correspondence throughout the duration of the grant.) After demonstrating the clock based on a single NV center, it was determined that an ensemble based clock stability was limited by temperature fluctuations in the environment. Due to this temperature instability, the diamond-based clock is not competitive with on-chip atomic clocks. In pursuit of removing temperature fluctuations, a record-breaking broadband magnetometer was developed and a new energy level anti-crossing was described (see notable accomplishments). ","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"November 2016"}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":313951,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"id":306532,"description":"Project Image Diamond Electron-Spin Clocks For Space Navigation and Communication","projectId":11485,"publishedDateString":""},"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"STRG","active":true,"description":"
\tThe Space Technology Research Grants Program will accelerate the development of "push" technologies to support the future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies and the commercial space sector. Innovative efforts with high risk and high payoff will be encouraged. The program is composed of two competitively awarded components.
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