The biosensing with NV centers in diamond: Related challenges

Abstract

Here, we discussed the current challenges related with the application of Nitrogen-vacancy (NV)-based magnetometers for biological systems. Major constraints for diamond sensor type as optical illumination, microwave field, bias magnetic field, optics, method of photoluminescence detection and sample preparation have been analyzed. Special attention was paid to the estimation of electromagnetic fields in the nervous system. The mechanism of action potential generation and resultant local current flows was discussed, corresponding magnetic field outside an axon was estimated. It was shown that sensitivity of upcoming generation of NV magnetic field sensors may not be enough for the measurement of single neuron action potential, while monitoring electromagnetic signals in brain slices or cardiac tissues seems very promising.