Dr Shahriar Esmaeili, Former Quantum Research Engineer, Toyota Research Institute of North America

Abstract:

Defect-based spin systems in wide-bandgap materials have emerged as versatile platforms for solid-state quantum sensing across a range of ambient and cryogenic environments. In this seminar, I will present advances in experimental quantum sensing using color centers in materials such as diamond and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), with emphasis on spin coherence, magnetic interactions, and system-level engineering.
The talk will review principles of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and discuss practical considerations in stabilizing optical and microwave control for precision measurements. I will outline general strategies for mitigating environmental and technical noise, including modulation-based readout schemes, drift suppression, and common-mode rejection techniques. Particular attention will be given to how coherence properties, photon statistics, and electronic readout collectively determine achievable performance in realistic experimental conditions.
Published work on integrated sensing architectures, along with recent patent developments in compact quantum sensor design, will be discussed in the broader context of translating laboratory-scale experiments into scalable and robust solid-state measurement platforms. These advances illustrate how careful noise engineering and subsystem integration enable defect-based systems to serve as building blocks for emerging hybrid quantum technologies and precision sensing applications.

Biography:

Dr. Shahriar Esmaeili received his Ph.D. in Physics from Texas A&M University in 2023 under the supervision of Profs. Marlan Scully and Philip Hemmer. His research focuses on defect-based quantum sensing in wide-bandgap materials, including diamond and hexagonal boron nitride, with emphasis on spin coherence, magnetic interactions, and precision measurement techniques.

He has developed and engineered solid-state quantum sensing platforms integrating optical, microwave, and electronic subsystems, contributing to compact device architectures reported in APL Materials. His work also includes patent disclosures related to integrated quantum sensing technologies and hybrid material systems. His broader interests include coherence engineering, magnetic noise characterization, and the development of robust solid-state quantum measurement platforms.