New application of NV centers in CVD diamonds as a fluorescent nuclear track detector

NV (nitrogen vacancy) center in a diamond is utilized for FNTD (fluorescent nuclear track detector) for the first time. We performed high energy heavy ion irradiation to single crystal type‐IIa diamonds with various nitrogen concentrations. After high temperature annealing, the nitrogen impurity combined with the vacancies created by a single ion strike. As a result the ion track is visualized as a train of fluorescent NV centers formed. We successfully observe the ion track in both HPHT (high pressure high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamonds by using the laser scanning confocal microscope. We therefore conclude that a diamond containing nitrogen impurity is able to be used for FNTD.