A special diamond is the key to a completely open source quantum sensor

Quantum cyber is Either a distant dream or an imminent reality depending on who you ask. And while most of the Quantum Village this year at the Safety Conference of Defcon of Las Vegas is focused on emerging research and on the analysis of the threats, the co -founders of the Victoria Kumaran village and Mark Carley are also working to make a quantum technology currently available more accessible to hackers and anyone else.

In a Defcon speech in the main phase on Saturday, the couple will do so It has an Open Source and quantum sensor at affordable prices that can serve a variety of uses, from medical technologies to GPS alternatives. And it’s all fed by a special diamond but convenient with particular atomic properties. The first generation design could be assembled for about $ 120 to $ 160 according to suppliers and shipping times. The second version that Kumaran and Carney are presenting this weekend can be built for even less, and the couple says that they will publish a third version this autumn based on the tests and contributions of the community they hope for only $ 50 for the construction.

The quantum sensors detect extremely mild variations in magnetic and electrical fields, allowing ultra-pre-pricise measurements. Atomic watches that maintain almost perfect time, for example, are quantum sensors that have been in use for decades. For researchers and enthusiasts interested in learning more about quantum detection, however, the barrier at the entrance was quite high. So the “Uncut Gem” project relatively convenient and open source of the Quantico Village creates a real opportunity for more people to build their quantum sensors and explore technology.

“You can do things that you could never have done before, how to use quantum sensors to start building portable MR-MR-MR devices that can be used in all different countries,” Kumaran said to Wired before the presentation. “These are diamonds with defects, synthetic diamonds that are the cheapest you can get. I think there is something a little poetic that synthetic diamonds have this usefulness.”

Most of the components necessary for the quantum sensor are simple parts of processing outside the shelf, but the diamond must be what is known as a “nitrogen holiday diamond”. Its special molecular properties are thanks to the presence of nitrogen atoms that replace some carbon atoms in the atomic structure of the diamond.

In addition to potential medical applications, quantum sensors can be used in alternative navigation technologies that trace the interference of electromagnetic waves. These tools could be used as local GPS alternatives in the case of global system failures or targeted jams. The US spatial force is currently testing what a release called “higher quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space”.

For the vast majority of people who do not have access to the most performing quantum sensors of the world, however, the non -cut GEM project represents an opportunity to democratize and expand the quantum detection technology. The project is combined with others in different hacking fields that have been oriented towards low -cost accessible projects and components.

The independent researcher Davide Gessa tested the schemes and the not cut Gem code.