PROMISE concept

PROMISE is a European project advancing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) quantum technology for magnetic imaging. By developing widefield NV magnetometer prototypes, PROMISE aims to bring this robust and user-friendly technology to pre-industrial readiness (TRL7) for real-world applications.

Unlike scanning systems, PROMISE prototypes deliver fast, high-resolution magnetic field maps over large areas. Four use cases—in semiconductors, materials, aerospace, and biotech—will validate the technology. The project brings together partners across the value chain to enable compact, efficient, and market-ready solutions.

10
Partners
6
Countries
44
Months
5.3
Budget M€

Objectives

The objectives of PROMISE are to:

Develop key components: Design compact, efficient optical and microwave systems, including custom SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) sensors and NV-specific controllers, to enable fast, high-resolution magnetic imaging.
Engineer high-quality diamond sensors: Produce thin diamond membranes with optimized NV center distribution and orientation tailored for widefield magnetometry applications.
Build and integrate prototypes: Assemble two NV-based imaging prototypes capable of operating in real-world environments (TRL7), designed for ease of use and high performance.
Demonstrate the technology’s versatility through four applications: Imaging current in graphene chips (semiconductors) - Detecting corrosion and cracks in aluminum alloys (aerospace) - Characterizing micromagnets and nanostructures (materials science) - Monitoring magnetic nanoparticles in live cells (biotechnology)
Develop automated data analysis tools: Create a machine learning-powered software suite for real-time, user-friendly data acquisition, processing, and analysis.
Support standardization efforts: Contribute to harmonizing NV-based quantum sensing specifications and data formats for broader industry adoption.
Foster market uptake: Define a commercialization roadmap with business models, industry engagement, and intellectual property strategies to support Europe’s leadership in quantum sensing.