Highlights
19/04/2024 - Our research group organizes the "Prospects and challenges of nanomaterial application in the BIO-MEDical field" (nBIO-MED) NIS Colloquium, held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The workshop includes a broad spectrum of contributions on the application of nanoscale-materials in the fields of biosensing and medical physics. (info: F. Picollo, V. Varzi)
09/01/2024 - The 3-years projects "Normating colour-centre-based quantum sensing technology towards industrial application and standards" (NoQTeS) is selected for funding by the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project is supported within the "Normative" scheme of the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) with a planned budget of 1.2 M€ (local coordinator: F. Picollo).
11/12/2023 - APE code (Amperometric Peak Analysis) is a freeware analysis code written in MATLAB which allows a fast and automated analysis of amperometric peak parameters from different chronoamperograms. This code has been designed to be user-friendly, with a clean interface for data entry and storage of output reports in ASCII, allowing high compatibility with other analysis software. A detailed desciption of APE code is available in "Enhancing the study of quantal exocytotic events: combining diamond multi-electrode array with APE (Amperometric PEak analysis), automated analysis code" (G. Tomagra, A. Re, V. Varzi, P. Aprà, A. Britel, C. Franchino, S. Sturari, N.-H. Amine, R. H.S. Westerink, V. Carabelli, F. Picollo), Biosensors, in press. See also our Software section.
29/11/2023 - The 2 years project "Au-functionalized nanodiamonds as simultaneous ROS quantum sensors and Radiosensitizing Agents" (AURORA) coordinated by Pietro Aprà is selected for funding in the framework of the "INFN - Young Researchers Grant" scheme, with a budget of 136 k€.
10/11/2023 - The 2-years research project "Opto-mechanical effects in spin-defects for quantum technologies" is funded by the Italian Ministry for University and Research in the framework of the "PRIN 2022 PNRR" call. The project will involve the work of the University of Torino (local coordinator: Jacopo Forneris), and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (PI: Marco Govoni) with a total budget of 230 k€.
11-19/09/2023 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the "Quantum2023" conference ("From Foundations of Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology & Sensing"), held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The conference includes a broad spectrum of contributions on diamond-based quantum technologies from internationally recognized speakers. For information, contact quantum2023@unito.it.
12-13/06/2023 - Our research group organizes the "Ion beam Techniques and Analysis for Cultural heritage and Advanced materials" (ITACA) NIS Colloquium, held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The conference includes a broad spectrum of contributions on application of ion beams techniques from internationally recognized speakers.
7-9/06/2023 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the INFN-CSN4&CSN5 Workshop on Quantum Technologies, held at the "ToExpo" premises of the University of Torino. The workshop aims at facilitating the synergies and collaboration between experimental and theoretical researchers on quantum science and technology.
19/05/2023 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the NIS Colloquium "Electron spin for quantum technologies: from molecules to devices" organized within the NIS inter-departmental centre. The workshop will bring together national and international researchers working on spin-based quantum technologies, from different perspectives ranging from chemistry to physics and materials science. (Registration link)
08/03/2023 - Paolo Olivero delivers with Dr. Marco Genovese the seminar "Quantum information and quantum entanglement" at the Academy of Sciences of Torino, in the framework of the "Where is Science heading to?" cycle.
05/2022 - Members of our research group (P. Aprà and F. Picollo) serve as guest editor for the special issue of Biosensors journal (IF 5.5) entitled: "Diamond Technology for Biosensing and Quantum Sensing". This special issue aims to collect state-of-the-art contributions regarding the use of diamonds in the bio-sensing and in quantum technology fields. The deadline for the contribution submission is 28/02/2023: please contact the guest editors for further information.
24-26/05/2022 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the online workshop "Quantum Lectures 2022 (ad memoriam or Carlo Novero)" organized by the Quantum Optics research group of the National Institute of Metrologic Research. The workshop will consist of a short series of keynote lectures given by distinguished researchers in the Quantum Foundations, Information and Metrology & Sensing fields.
28/3/2022 - In the framework of the "World Quantum Day" and the "Italian Quantum Weeks" initatives, our group co-organizes a "Quantum Night" in Torino. The event will take place at RKH Studio (via Carlo Allioni 3, Torino) from 8:00pm, and it will include a divulgative scientific talk with Paolo Olivero, refreshments and a DJ set. The attendance is limited: please book at this link.
7/2/2022 - The 1-year pilot experiment "GeV color centers by Ion implantation for Quantum applications" (GeVIonQ), co-proposed by Damiano Giubertoni (Fondazione Bruno Kessler) and Jacopo Forneris is selected by the Quantum Science and Technology Center (Q@TN Center) for funding with a budget of 14 k€. The experiment will involve a partnership between researchers at the University of Torino, INFN Torino and the Fondazione Bruno Kessler.
15/01/2022 - The "Fai Brillare la Ricerca" ("Make Research Shine") project is successfully funded within the "Funds TOgether" crowdfunding program of the University of Torino (promoters: P. Aprà and F. Picollo), with a budget of 15'820 € (i.e. 316% of the original request).
31/12/2021 - The 2-years project "Finanziamento ex-post di progetti di ricerca di Ateneo - Anno 2020" coordinated by Jacopo Forneris is selected by the University of Torino for funding with a budget of 100 k€, supported by the "Compagnia di San Paolo" foundation.
17/12/2021 - The 2 years project "advanced ion iRradiatiOn strategies for the engineering of qUantum-liGht Emitters in solid-state" (ROUGE) coordinated by Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij is selected for funding in the framework of the "INFN - Young Researchers Grant" scheme, with a budget of 125 k€.
17/12/2021 - A Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year from the diamond crew!
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20/04/2021 - The contribution of Veronica Varzi et al. "Diamond-based multielectrode sensors for in vitro detection of excitable cells activity" presented at the 2021 Virtual MRS Spring Meeting and Exhibit is highlighted in the "Late News" section of the conference website.
19/04/2021 - The contribution of Pietro Aprà et al. "Fluorescence enhancement and functionalization of nanodiamonds for optically trackable drug delivery" presented at the 2021 Virtual MRS Spring Meeting and Exhibit is highlighted in the "Late News" section of the conference website.
04-07/05/2021 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the online training workshop "IAEA Training Workshop on Ion beam Driven Materials Engineering: New Roles for Accelerators in Quantum Technologies" organized by the International Agency for Atomic Energy. This training workshop is one of the outputs of the IAEA F11020 Coordinated Research Project "Ion beam induced spatio-temporal structural evolution of materials: Accelerators for a new technology era" in which the group is actively involved.
07/01/2021 - The 3-years research project "Single- and entangled photon sources for quantum metrology (SEQUME)" is selected for funding with a planned budget of 1.8 M€ by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR-Fundamental) of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project is locally coordinated at UniTo by Federico Picollo. The SEQUME project also funds the Torino Section of INFN under the coordination of Jacopo Forneris.
07/01/2021 - The 3-years research project "Quantum Sensors for Metrology Based on Single-Atom-Like Device Technology (QADeT)" is selected for funding with a planned budget of 1.8 M€ by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET-Industrial). The project is locally coordinated at UniTo by Jacopo Forneris.
07/01/2021 - The 3-years research project "Pushing bOundaries of nano-dimensional metrology by Light (POLight)" is selected for funding with a planned budget of 1.7 M€ by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR-Fundamental) of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project is locally coordinated at UniTo by Paolo Olivero.
25/11/2020 - The 2-years research project "Intelligent fabrication of QUANTum devices in DIAmond by Laser and Ion Irradiation (QuantDia)" is funded by the National Ministry for Education, University and Research in the framework of the FISR 2019 call. With a total budget of 1 M€, our research group will collaborate with the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies of the National Research Council on the development of advanced ion- and laser-beam based techniques for the creation of innovative quantum sensors in artificial diamond.
09/11/2020 - Master graduate Giulia Peroni is awarded the yearly "Anna Piccotti" award of the Torino section of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics for her Master's Degree thesis entitled "Applications of artificial diamond-based biosensors for radiobiological experiments" (tutor: F. Picollo).
01/10/2020 - The 4-years research project "Training on LASer fabrication and ION implantation of DEFects as quantum emitters (LasIonDef)" starts with the support of the European Research Council in the framework of the "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks" program. The project has a total budget of 3.2 M€ and will train 13 Early Stage Researchers on ion implantation and femtosecond laser writing to fabricate quantum-photonic and bio-sensing devices.
24/09/2020 - The 3-years research project "QUANtum Technologies Experimental Platform (QUANTEP)" is funded by the National Institute of Nuclear Physics in the framework of the "Quantum Technologies" call. QUANTEP will involve the work of the INFN Sections of Torino (local coordinator: Jacopo Forneris), Roma Tor Vergata, Legnaro, Milano, Perugia, Pisa, Pavia, and Salerno, with a total budget of 1 M€.
14/09/2020 - PhD student Pietro Aprà delivers his talk entitled "Ion-beam-based micro-fabrication of graphite-patterned diamond sensors for in vitro detection of excitable cells activity" at the online edition of the 17th International Conference on Nuclear Microprobe Technology and Applications (ICNMTA2020). The recorded video of the talk is accessible at this link.
07/09/2020 - The 2-years research project "Study of the bio-physical effects at cellular level induced by X-ray radiation" (BiophysiX) is selected for funding by the CTR foundation with a planned budget of 45 k€, under the coordination of Federico Picollo.
31/08/2020 - Our article "Triggering neurotransmitters secretion from single cells by x-ray nanobeam irradiation"" (by F. Picollo et al.) is highlighted in the "Spotlight on Science" section of the website of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
21/05/2020 - Paolo Olivero contributes to the Frida scientific dissemination portal of the University of Torino with a joint interview entitled "When God plays dice - The intrinsic indetermination of matter". The interview is part of a series of scientific conversations entitled "Uncertain steps, possible futures", that aims at helping the general public to grasp from different points of view the concept of uncertainty, in light of the current covid-19 contingency.
19/05/2020 - Our group's contribution to European project "SIQUST" (in particular, articles "Single-photon emitters in lead-implanted single-crystal diamond", "Quantum nanophotonics with group IV defects in diamond" and "Quantum micro-nano devices fabricated in diamond by femtosecond laser and ion irradiation") is highlighted on the project's webpage.
05/05/2020 - PhD graduate and post-doctoral fellow Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij is awarded the "Resmini" prize by the 5th Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics for his PhD dissertation "Use of energetic ion beams for the engineering and control of quantum-optical emitters and sensors in artificial diamond" (tutor: P. Olivero, co-tutor: J. Forneris).
10/02/2020 - The 3-years project "High dose-rate and spatially resolved X-ray effectS on living cells (RESOLVE)" coordinated by Federico Picollo is funded by the 5th National Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, with a budget of 160 k€.
20-21/01/2020 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the workshop "Quantum Technologies within INFN: status and perspectives", held at the University of Padova. The goal of the meeting is to explore possible collaborations within INFN groups and among INFN and other communities, to enable advancements in knowledge in the field of quantum technologies.
17/01/2020 - The "Silver Medal" prize for the best master thesis in Physics is awarded to Pietro Aprà for his thesis entitled "Development and characterization of photoluminescent nanodiamonds for drug delivery applications" (tutor: F. Picollo).
9/12/2019 - Our article "Quantum nanophotonics with group IV defects in diamond" is published in vol. 10 of Nature Communications. The article is ranked among the top 50 physics articles published on Nature Communications in 2019.
18/09/2019 - P. Olivero delivers an invited report entitled "Applied nuclear science for new-generation single-photon sources: towards safer global communication with quantum cryptography" at the 63rd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in the framework of the side event "Building Quantum Technology with Ion Beam Accelerators". More information can be found at this IAEA press release or in this brochure of the event.
28-29/06/2019 - F. Picollo actively collaborates to the organization of the NIS Colloquium "Ion Channels in Cell Physiology and Disease - New perspectives and biosensor-based approach". The workshop features a broad perspective on innovative cellular biosensors, including diamond-based devices.
12/06/2019 - Our article "Quantum micro-nano devices fabricated in diamond by femtosecond laser and ion irradiation" is reported on the back cover of vol. 2 issue 5-6 of the journal "Advanced Quantum Technologies".
29/05/2019 - P. Olivero participates to the divulgative event "From the spooky world of quanta to quantum technologies: towards quantum metrology" organized by the Academy of Sciences of Torino in conjunction with the "Quantum2019" conference.
20-22/05/2019, in the best pubs of Torino - Pint of Science 2019 @ Torino, with selected talks on the following topics: "Atoms to Galaxies", "Beautiful Mind" and "Tech Me Out" (featuring a talk on diamond-based quantum sensors by Jacopo Forneris).
26/05/2019-01/06/2019 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the "Quantum2019" conference ("From Foundations of Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology & Sensing"), held at the "Cavallerizza Reale" complex of the University of Torino. The conference includes a broad spectrum of contributions on diamond-based quantum technologies from internationally recognized speakers. For information, contact quantum2019@unito.it.
1-3/04/2019 - Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the "Ion Beams for Future Technologies 2019" workshop held at the Dubrovnik International University Center (HR). The workshop is aimed at discussing new applications of focused ion beams or single ion irradiation, which could play a crucial role in emerging future technologies. Furthermore, the workshop aims at developing new collaborations and new project proposals, including those within the scope of European Union research funding possibilities.
01/02/2019 - Our research on the standardization of experimental procedures for the characterization of single-photon emitters is cited in Nature Physics 15, 110 (2019) in the "Research Highlights" section.
11/01/2019 - Our research on diamond-based single-photon emitters is highlighted on the "frida" portal of the University of Torino.
07/01/2019 - Our research on diamond-based single-photon emitters is highlighted on the UNITO News portal of the University of Torino.
20/12/2018 - The 2-years project "Finanziamento ex-post di progetti di ricerca di Ateneo - Anno 2018" coordinated by Paolo Olivero is selected by the University of Torino for funding with a budget of 54 k€, supported by the "Compagnia di San Paolo" foundation.
19/12/2018 - The article "Single-photon emitters in lead-implanted single-crystal diamond" by S. Ditalia Tchernij et al. is reported on the cover of vol. 5 no. 12 of the journal "ACS Photonics".
1-5/10/2018 - In partnership with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Solid State Physics group co-organized the Joint ICTP-IAEA Advanced School on Ion Beam Driven Materials Engineering. The School took place at ICTP (Trieste) and focused on the latest technological developments in the engineering of new material with ion beams, with a specific focus on quantum technologies. 8 lecturers (among which J. Forneris and P. Olivero) and 16 PhD students and early career researchers (among which S. Ditalia Tchernij) actively involved in ion beam techniques attended the event.
23/02/2018 - The communication "Diamond-based multi electrode arrays for monitoring dopaminergic neurons activity" (G. Tomagra, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, A. Pasquarelli, A. Marcantoni, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, V. Carabelli) is awared as the best oral presentation of the 4th National Congress of Sensors (Catania, 21-23 February 2018).
09/01/2018 - The 3-years projects "Beyond Classical Optical Metrology" (BeCOMe) and "Single‐photon sources as new quantum standards" (SIQUST) are selected for funding with planned budgets of respectively 1.7 M€ and 1.8 M€ by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The projects are locally coordinated at UniTo by Paolo Olivero. The SIQUST project also funds the Torino Section of INFN.
17/09/2017 - The article "Photo-physical properties of He-related color centers in diamond" is selected as an APL Editor's Pick. It was highlighted on the journal homepage the week of Sep 17 2017.
28/07/2017 - The 18-months project "New Micro-Radiobiology Devices for aeroSpace (MiRaDS)" starts under the coordination of Paolo Olivero with a budget of 55,000 € funded by the CRT Foundation.
8-12/05/2017 - Jacopo Forneris and Paolo Olivero actively participated to the organization of the conference Quantum2017 (From Foundations of Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology & Sensing). The purpose of Quantum2017 is to favour the exchange of ideas and discussion on last results among leading physicists working in the interconnected fields of quantum metrology, sensing and imaging, and its program included several invited and contributed talks con the quantum-optical properties of color centers in diamond (see also the 07/05/2017 article on "La Stampa" national newspaper).
30/09/2016 - The two-years project "Diamond based detector for in vitro cellular radiobiology (DIACELL)" starts under the coordination of Federico Picollo and Paolo Olivero with a budget of 80,000 € funded by the 5th National Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics.
26/09/2016 During the the 102nd Congress of the Italian Physics Society in Padova, Jacopo Forneris was awarded the "Sergio Panizza Prize" devoted to young researchers with distinguished contributions in Optoelectronics and Photonics, for "his experimental innovative contributions to optoelectronics and photonics based on diamond".
23-27/05/2016, Rettorato Università di Torino - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Meeting "Ion Beam-Induced Spatio-Temporal Structural Evolution of Matter: Towards New Quantum Technologies"
23-25/05/2016, in the best pubs of Torino - Pint of Science 2016 @ Torino, with selected talks on the following topics: "Atoms to Galaxies", "Beautiful Mind" and "Tech Me Out" (featuring a talk on diamond-based cellular biosensors by Federico Picollo).
01/01/2016 - The two-years project "Electrically controlled diamond-based single-photon sources (DIESIS)" starts under the coordination of Jacopo Forneris with a budget of 180,000 € funded by the 5th National Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics.
10/04/2015 - PhD graduate and former post-doc Daniele Gatto Monticone is awarded the "Resmini" prize by the 5th Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics for his PhD dissertation "Creation and characterization of luminescent centres in diamond for applications as single photon emitters" (tutor: E. Vittone, co-tutors: P. Olivero, G. Amato, M. Genovese).
16/09/2014, 9:00, aula Avogadro - "2nd Workshop "Diamond & New Technologies - Technological applications of artificial diamond" organized by Federico Picollo and Paolo Olivero.
03/01/2014 - The two-years project "Development of ion beam nanofabrication techniques in diamond for applications in bio-sensing" starts under the coordination of Federico Picollo with a budget of 140,000 € funded by the 5th National Commission of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics.
05/09/2013 - Radio interview on the development of the quantum computer to Paolo Olivero on Radio3 Scienza, the scientific daily program of "Radio3" channel. The interview recording is available here.
03/09/2013 - "Here's the computer with no more bits": interview to Paolo Olivero on Wired.
21/09/2012 - "Amperometric detection of quantal catecholamine secretion from individual cells by an ion beam microfabricated single crystalline diamond biosensor" (F. Picollo et al.): best oral presentation in the "Biophysics and Medical Physics" session of the "XCVIII National Congress of the Italian Physics Society", 17-21 September 2012, Napoli
12/01/2011 - "Computers get faster with diamonds": an article on our research activity published on "La Stampa - Tuttoscienze".
30/07/2010 - Mention of honor of the poster "Focused ion beam fabrication and IBIC characterization of a diamond detector with buried electrodes" presented at the conference "ICNMTA2010 - 12th International Conference on Nuclear Microprobe Technology and Applications" (26-30 July 2010, Leipzig)

Diamond science

Diamond has a reputation that is unique, and the idea of a diamond "being forever" gives only a small hint of its peculiar properties that make it an ideal candidate for a great variety of applications which go well beyond jewelry. It is one of the many allotropes of carbon: graphite, fullerene, nanotubes, graphene, amorphous carbon, etc. This surprising variety derives from the peculiar nature of carbon chemical bond, which arises from different possible hybridizations of s and p electron orbitals.


Structurally it is the hardest known material while having an extremely low friction coefficient: for these reasons the employment of diamond powders in cutting tools and abrasives is widespread. More advanced technological applications employ the unique mechanical properties of diamond in micro-electromechanical resonators and tips for scanning probe microscopy and indentation measurements.

Diamond combines a high electrical resistivity (due to its high broad bandgap) with an extreme thermal conductivity; therefore it is ubiquitously employed as heat sink in different kind of devices.

From an electrical point of view, diamond is characterized by very high values of the free-carrier mobilities and of the breakdown field and can be doped to display n-type and p-type conductivities, which make him an ideal material for applications in high-power devices, detectors and UV emitters.

Moreover, it is possible to functionalize its surface in order to induce a negative electron affinity, thus allowing the possibility of producing highly efficient electron field emitters.

Optically, its transparency over a broad spectral window (from the far IR to the near UV) offers many possibilities in the design of advanced windows for different applications, such as lasers, thermal imaging devices, spacecrafts, etc. Such an extreme transparency is accompanied by a vast repertory of defect-related color centers which define a range of fancy colorations employed in jewelry; more recently the diamond colour centers have been successfully employed as single photon emitters for advanced technological applications such as quantum cryptography and quantum information processing.

From a chemical point of view, diamond combines chemical inertness, bio-compatibility and a large electrochemical window with the possibility of functionalizing its surface with a range of chemical terminations in order to promote the selective attachment of specific bio-molecules, or to induce a high electrical conductivity at its surface. These unique features make diamond a very appealing platform for bio-technological applications, ranging from cellular and molecular sensing to microfluidics and bio-markers.

The long-standing visionary promise of diamond of being "tomorrow's ultimate material" is becoming more realistic after the significant progresses obtained in recent years in the synthesis of high quality diamond (either monocrystalline, polycrystalline or nanocrystalline) with chemical vapour or high-pressure-high-temperature deposition techniques, at ever decreasing costs.

Diamond science @ the Solid State Physics Group

The Solid State Physics Group is active since many years in the research on artificial diamond for different technological applications. Currently, the group is working on different topics involving both technological applications and fundamental studies:

Cellular bio-sensing: By taking advantage of innovative lithographic tehniques based on the employment of MeV ions beams, we are developing a new integrated cellular biosensor capable of inducing and recording bio-chemical signals in vitro from living excitable (i.e. endocrine or neuronal) cells. In this context, a diamond-based device displays the advantages of being bio-compatible, chemically stable and transparent, and its micro-fabrication allows the development of an integrated device for the simultaneous recording of the activity of large cell cultures or from different locations of a single cell.
The activity is carried in close collaboration with the PhyNe Group of the Department of Drug Science and Technology and the Nanofacility Piemonte laboratories of the National Institute of Metrologic Research.

Color centers in diamond: The group is working on the creation and photo-physical characterization of single luminescent centers in diamond for advanced photonics applications such as quantum crypography, quantum metrology and quantum optics. Diamond can allocate literally hundreds of different luminscent centers within its large bandgap. Many of these centers are characterized by high stability and quantum efficiency eveb at room temperature. In particular, when isolated at the single-defect level and suitably stimulated, they can emit a single quantum of light per each excitation (i.e., one photon at a time). Moreover, the spin properties of several of these centers offer promising perspectives in quantum information processing and quantum-enhanced sensing. The group is active in different aspects of this emerging research field, including: electrically stimulated single-photon sources, the search for new efficient emitters in diamond, super-resolution imaging, advanced magnetometry.
The activity is carried in close collaboration with the Quantum Optics group and the Nanofacility Piemonte laboratories of the National Institute of Metrologic Research, with the Section V of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, as well as with other research institutions at the national (Politecnico di Torino, Politecnico di Milano, IFN-CNR, etc.) and international (Ulm University, University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Heriot-Watt University, etc.) level.


Fundamental studies: The group is active in an articulated research program focused on the fundamental investigation of the effect of ion implantation on the basic (i.e. structural, mechanical, optical) properties of diamond. Ion beams represent a powerful tool to functionalize and tailor the physical properties of diamond, therefore for this purpose an in-depth understanding of ion-matter interaction is required. The research team adopts finite element methods combined with analytical modelling to describe these effects at the mesoscopic scale.
The activity is carried in close collaboration with several national (INFN-LABEC, INFN-LNL, UniPd-DF) and international (UniMelb-MARC, RMIT) partner groups.

Divulgative videos

If you want to know more about our research activity, please have a look at these instructional videos:

Seminars
29-31/05/2023, 16:00, sala Wataghin "Introduction to Machine Learning" by Juan Sandubete (Elvesys - Elveflow, Paris).
14/04/2023, 14:30, sala Wataghin "First principles studies of quantum point defects" by Marco Govoni (Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia).
13/10/2022, 11:00, sala Wataghin "Multispecies focused ion beam for plasmonics and color center fabrication" by Damiano Giubertoni (Micro- Nano-facility, FBK Trento).
10/10/2022, 14:30, sala Wataghin "Ultrafast laser micromachining in different crystals using pulsed Bessel beams" by Akhil Kuriakose (CNR- Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, Milano).
17/12/2019, 16:00, Webex event #: 121 600 8994, link - "Room-temperature coherent microwave amplification" by Enrico Salvadori (University of Torino).
21/10/2019, 14:00, sala Wataghin - "Toward 100% efficiency of photon extraction from single silicon vacancies in diamond" by Dmitry Fedyanin (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology).
01/10/2019, 14:00, sala Castagnoli - "Multifunctional neural interfaces combining optics, photonics and nanotechnology" by Filippo Pisano(Italian Institute of Technology).
10/09/2019, 9:30, sala Wataghin - "Characterisation of Ion Implanted Channels in Diamond with Dual EELS" by Sergey Rubanov (University of Melbourne).
26/06/2019, 11:00, sala Wataghin - "Diamond microelectrodes: Theory, technology and biomedical applications" by Alberto Pasquarelli (Ulm University).
11/06/2019, 11:00, sala Castagnoli - "Improved creation efficiency of nitrogen-vacancy centre ensembles: processing and characterisation of artificial diamond" by Marco Capelli (RMIT University).
22/03/2019, 11:30, aula Magna - "Ion Implantation Technologies for Fabrication of Quantum Systems" by Jan Meijer (University of Leipzig).
23/10/2017, 14:30, sala Castagnoli - "Electrical excitation of color centers in diamond: the route to efficient single-photon sources" by Dmitry Fedyanin (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology).
09/10/2017, 14:00, sala Wataghin - "Spectroscopy in Flatland" by Igor Aharonovic (University of Technology, Sydney).
21/09/2017, 11:00, sala Wataghin - "Cooperatively-enhanced atomic dipole forces in optically trapped nanodiamond containing NV centres in liquid" by Carlo Bradac (University of Technology, Sydney).
26/06/2017, 10:00, aula Verde - "Optically detected magnetic field sensing in diamond" by Marco Capelli (RMIT University).
17/05/2017, 15:30, sala Wataghin - "A triple ion beam system: what are the benefits of FIB milling with He, Ne or Ga ions" by Babs Fairchild (RMIT University).
17/05/2017, 14:00, sala Wataghin - "Diamond in tellurite glass, an emerging hybrid material for quantum devices" by Andrew Greentree (RMIT University).
16/05/2017, 15:00, sala Castagnoli - "Strategies for global entangled states and distributed quantum protocols, or how quantum ships will make the world weirder" by Andrew Greentree (RMIT University).
15/05/2017, 15:00, sala Wataghin - "Development of CVD diamond membrane ionized-radiation detector with embedded living-cell cultivation environment" by Wataru Kada (Gunma University).
15/03/2017, 11:00, sala Wataghin - "Influence of grain boundaries on elastic and plastic properties of nanocrystalline diamond films" by Markus Mohr (University of Ulm).
30/06/2016, 11:00, aula G - "3D diamond photonics enabled by femtosecond laser inscription" by Shane Eaton (Politecnico di Milano).
13/05/2016, 11:00, Aula Magna - "Controlling nuclear spins in diamond at ambient conditions" by Boris Naydenov (Institute for Quantum Optics, University of Ulm).
18/11/2015, 14:00, sala Wataghin - "Optimized quantum sensing with adaptive measurements on a single solid-state spin" by Cristian Bonato (Delft University of Technology).
10/11/2014, 10:00, sala Wataghin - "Design of an ultra-compact silicon plasmonic modulator for optical interconnections" given by Dr. Nicolás Abadía (Université Paris-Sud, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives).
16/09/2014, 9:00, aula Avogadro - "2nd Workshop "Diamond & New Technologies - Technological applications of artificial diamond" organized by Federico Picollo and Paolo Olivero.
23/05/2014, 14:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "CVD processes for growth and shaping of diamond films: new prospectives in nanotechnology and optical applications" by Stefano Gay (University of Roma "Tor Vergata").
16/04/2014, 14:00, sala Fubini - Seminar "Manipulating a spin qubit by sequential adaptive partial measurements" by Cristian Bonato (Delft University of Technology).
11/04/2014, 14:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Nanoscale scanning probe magnetometer with a single NV center" by Piernicola Spinicelli (Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielle).
11/02/2014, 9:30, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Nanoscale imaging using color centers in diamond nanoparticles" by Jean-François Roch (Laboratorire Aimé Cotton - CNRS).
08/03/2013, 10:00, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Creation of Single Photon Centers in Diamond and SiC by Irradiation" by Takeshi Oshima (Japan Atomic Energy Agency).
15/10/2012, 10:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Optical centres in diamond created by high resolution ion implantation for single photon sources and solid state qubit" by Sébastien Pezzagna (Ruhr Universtät Bochum).
14/09/2012, 14:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Coherent Acoustic Phonon Spectroscopy of Ion-Implanted Diamond" by Justin Gregory (Vanderbilt University).
11/09/2012, 14:30, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Diamond-based spintronics and nano-diamond research at Technion" by Rafi Kalish (Technion Institute).
05/06/2012, 14:00, aula Wick - Seminar "Phase-shift interferometry methods and their applications from diamonds to thin liquid films" by Maurizio Vannoni (Istituto Nazionale di Ottica - CNR).
09/03/2012, 10:00, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Single crystal diamond based Schottky diodes: Application to radiation detection" by Gianluca Verona Rinati (Università di Roma "Tor Vergata").
14/11/2012, 9:30, sala Wataghin - Workshop "1st Diamond & New Technologies Workshop" organized by Paolo Olivero.
13/09/2011, 14:00, sala Wataghin - Seminar "STEM study of the fabrication processes in diamond" by Sergey Rubanov (University of Melbourne).
18/04/2011, 15:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Single ion implantation and defect engineering in diamond" by Jan Meijer (Ruhr Universtät Bochum).
21/12/2010, 9:30, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Diamond related activities at Institute Néel" by Etienne Gheeraert (Néel Institute - CNRS).
21/12/2010, 10:45, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Towards quantum nanomechanics using superconducting diamond" by Christopher Bäuerle (Néel Institute - CNRS).
21/12/2010, 12:00, sala Castagnoli - Seminar "Electrical transport in diamond" by Julien Pernot (Néel Institute - CNRS).
28/09/2010, 14:30, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Fabrication of optical waveguides in diamond" by Mark Hiscocks (University of New South Wales).
03/09/2010, 14:30, sala Wataghin - Seminar "The many facets of diamond at the University of Melbourne" by Barbara Fairchild (University of Melbourne).
03/09/2010, 14:30, sala Wataghin - Seminar "Nanocrystalline diamond microelectrode arrays deposited on sapphire for cellular amperometric signal detection" by Elisabetta Colombo (Ulm University).

Funded projects
Normating colour-centre-based quantum sensing technology towards industrial application and standards (NoQTeS)
Time: 2024-2025
Funding: European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
Budget: 1.2 M€
Local coordinator: Federico Picollo
Au-functionalized nanodiamonds as simultaneous ROS quantum sensors and Radiosensitizing Agents (AURORA)
Time: 2024-2025
Funding: National Institute of Nuclear Physics
Budget: 136 k€
Coordinator: Pietro Aprà
Opto-mechanical effects in spin-defects for quantum technologies
Time: 2023-2025
Funding: PRIN 2022 PNRR program of MUR
Budget: 230 k€
Coordinator: Jacopo Forneris
advanced ion iRradiatiOn strategies for the engineering of qUantum-liGht Emitters in solid-state (ROUGE)
Time: 2022-2023
Funding: National Institute of Nuclear Physics
Budget: 125 k€
Coordinator: Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij
GeV color centers by Ion implantation for Quantum applications (GeVIonQ)
Time: 2022-2023
Funding: Quantum Science and Technology Center (Q@TN)
Budget: 14 k€
Coordinator: Jacopo Forneris
"Ex-post" funding of research projects
Time: 2022-2023
Funding: University of Torino, Compagnia di San Paolo
Budget: 100 k€
Coordinator: Jacopo Forneris
Quantum Sensors for Metrology Based on Single-Atom-Like Device Technology (QADeT)
Time: 2021-2024
Funding: European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
Local budget: 1.8 M€
Coordinator: Jacopo Forneris
Single- and entangled photon sources for quantum metrology (SEQUME)
Time: 2021-2024
Funding: European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
Local budget: 1.8 M€
Coordinator (UniTo unit): Federico Picollo
Coordinator (INFN unit): Jacopo Forneris
Pushing bOundaries of nano-dimensional metrology by Light (POLight)
Time: 2021-2024
Funding: European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
Local budget: 1.7 M€
Coordinator: Paolo Olivero
High dose-rate and spatially resolved X-ray effectS on living cells (RESOLVE)
Time: 2020-2023
Funding: National Institute of Nuclear Physics
Budget: 160 k€
Local Coordinator: Federico Picollo
QUANtum Technologies Experimental Platform (QUANTEP)
Time: 2020-2023
Funding: National Institute of Nuclear Physics
Budget: 1 M€
Local Coordinator: Jacopo Forneris
Training on LASer fabrication and ION implantation of DEFects as quantum emitters (LasIonDef)
Time: 2020-2024
Funding: "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks" program
Local budget: 3.2 M€
Local coordinator: Paolo Olivero
Piemonte Quantum Enabling Technology (PiQuET)
Time: 2018-2020
Funding: "Infra-P" regional program (POR-FESR 2014-2020)
Local budget: 400 k€
Local coordinator: Paolo Olivero
Dia.Fab.
Time: running experiment
Supporting institution: INFN - LNL
Budget: N/A (use of large scale facility)
Coordinator: Federico Picollo

Recent publications
"Activation of telecom emitters in silicon upon ion implantation and ns pulsed laser annealing", G. Andrini, G. Zanelli, S. Ditalia Tchernij, E. Corte, E. Nieto Hernàndez, A. Verna, M. Cocuzza, E. Bernardi, S. Virzì, P. Traina, I. P. Degiovanni, M. Genovese, P. Olivero, J. Forneris, Communications Materials 5, 47 (2024)
"Solid-State Color Centers for Single-Photon Generation", G. Andrini, F. Amanti, F. Armani, V. Bellani, V. Bonaiuto, S. Cammarata, M. Campostrini, T. Ha Dao, F. De Matteis, V. Demontis, Giovanni Di Giuseppe, S. Ditalia Tchernij , S. Donati, A. Fontana, J. Forneris, R. Francini, L. Frontini, R. Gunnella, S. Iadanza, A. Emre Kaplan, C. Lacava, V. Liberali, F. Marzioni, E. Nieto Hernàndez, E. Pedreschi, P. Piergentili, D. Prete, P. Prosposito, V. Rigato, C. Roncolato, F. Rossella, A. Salamon, M. Salvato, F. Sargeni, J. Shojaii, F. Spinella, A. Stabile, A. Toncelli, G. Trucco, V. Vitali, Photonics 11, 188 (2024)
"3D printing in micro fluidics: experimental optimization of droplet size and generation time through flow focusing, phase, and geometry variation", A. Britel, G. Tomagra, P. Aprà, V. Varzi, S. Sturari, N.-H. Amine, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, RSC Advances 14, 7770 (2024)
"Effect of crystallographic orientation on the potential barrier and conductivity of Bessel written graphitic electrodes in diamond", A. Kuriakose, A. Chiappini, P. Aprà, O. Jedrkiewicz, Diamond and Related Materials 142, 110760 (2024)
"Quantum Information with Integrated Photonics", P. Piergentili, F. Amanti, G. Andrini, F. Armani, V. Bellani, V. Bonaiuto, S. Cammarata, M. Campostrini, S. Cornia, T. Ha Dao, F. De Matteis, V. Demontis, Giovanni Di Giuseppe, S. Ditalia Tchernij , S. Donati, A. Fontana, Jacopo Forneris, R. Francini, L. Frontini, R. Gunnella, S. Iadanza, A. Emre Kaplan, C. Lacava, V. Liberali, F. Marzioni, E. Nieto Hernàndez, E. Pedreschi, D. Prete, P. Prosposito, V. Rigato, C. Roncolato, F. Rossella, A. Salamon, M. Salvato, F. Sargeni, J. Shojaii, F. Spinella, A. Stabile, A. Toncelli, G. Trucco, V. Vitali, Applied Sciences 14, 387 (2024)
"Enhancing the study of quantal exocytotic events: combining diamond multi-electrode arrays with Amperometric PEak analysis (APE) an automated analysis code", G. Tomagra, A. Re, V. Varzi, P. Aprà, A. Britel, C. Franchino, S. Sturari, N.-H. Amine, R. H. S Westerink, V. Carabelli, F. Picollo, Biosensors 13(12), 1033 (2023)
"Nanodiamond effects on cancer cell radiosensitivity: the interplay between their chemical/physical characteristics and the irradiation energy", V. Varzi, E. Fratini, M. Falconieri, D. Giovannini, A. Cemmi, J. Scifo, I. Di Sarcina, P. Aprà, S. Sturari, L. Mino, G. Tomagra, Er Infusino, V. Landoni, C. Marino, M. Mancuso, F. Picollo, S. Pazzaglia, International Journal of Molecular Science 24, 16622 (2023)
"Functionalization of nanodiamonds with hyaluronic acid: a study for their potential Applications in radiosensitization and selective tumor detection", S. Sturari, V. Varzi, P. Aprà, G. Tomagra, V. Monti, V. Bincoletto, B. Zurletti, E. A. Durisi, S. Arpicco, C. Riganti, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, Proceedings of the NANO23@uniVR workshop, 8-9 June 2023, University of Verona, Italy, European Journal of Histochemistry 67(s1), 17 (2023)
"Methodologies for detecting quantal exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells through diamond-based MEAs"", S. Sturari, V. Varzi, P. Aprà, G. Tomagra, V. Monti, V. Bincoletto, B. Zurletti, E. A. Durisi, S. Arpicco, C. Riganti, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, Methods in Molecular Biology 72565, 213 (2023)
"Efficiency optimization of Ge‐V quantum emitters in single‐crystal diamond upon ion implantation and HPHT annealing", E. Nieto Hernàndez, E. Redolfi, C. Stella, G. Andrini, E. Corte, S. Sachero, S. Ditalia Tchernij, F. Picariello, T. Herzig, Y. M. Borzdov, I. N. Kupriyanov, A. Kubanek, P. Olivero, J. Meijer, P. Traina, Y. N. Palyanov, J. Forneris, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2023, 23000101 (2023)
"A comprehensive study of the effect of thermally induced surface terminations on nanodiamonds electrical properties", S. Sturari, V. Varzi, P. Aprà, A. Britel, N.-H. Amine, G. Andrini, E. Corte, G. Tomagra, L. Mino, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, Surfaces and Interfaces 38, 102831 (2023)
"Fabrication of conductive micro electrodes in diamond bulk using pulsed Bessel beams", A. Kuriakose, A. Chiappini, B. Sotillo, A. Britel, P. Aprà, F. Picollo, O. Jedrkiewicz, Diamond & Related Materials 136, 110034 (2023)
"Bright single-photon emission from a GeV center in diamond under a microfabricated solid immersion lens at room temperature", J. Christinck, F. Hirt, H. Hofer, Z. Liu, M. Etzkorn, T. Dunatov, M. Jakšić, J. Forneris, S. Kück, Journal of Applied Physics 133, 193102 (2023)
"Engineering Multicolor Radiative Centers in hBN Flakes by Varying the Electron Beam Irradiation Parameters", F. Bianco, E. Corte, S. Ditalia Tchernij, J. Forneris, F. Fabbri, Nanomaterials 13(4), 739 (2023)
"Magnesium-Vacancy optical centers in diamond", E. Corte, G. Andrini, E. Nieto Hernández, V. Pugliese, Â. Costa, G. Magchiels, J. Moens, S. Malven Tunhuma, R. Villareal, L. M. C. Pereira, A. Vantomme, J. Guilherme Correia, E. Bernardi, P. Traina, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Moreva, M. Genovese, S. Ditalia Tchernij, P. Olivero, U. Wahl, J. Forneris, ACS Photonics 10, 101 (2023)
"Diamond-based sensors for in vitro cellular radiobiology: Simultaneous detection of cell exocytic activity and ionizing radiation", G. Tomagra, G. Peroni, P. Aprà, V. Bonino, M. Campostrini, V. Carabelli, C. Collá Ruvolo, A. Lo Giudice, L. Guidorzi, L. Mino, P. Olivero, L. Pacher, F. Picariello, A. Re, V. Rigato, M. Truccato, V. Varzi, E. Vittone, F. Picollo, Biosensors and Bioelectronics 220, 114876 (2023)
"Nanodiamond–Quantum Sensors Reveal Temperature Variation Associated to Hippocampal Neurons Firing", G. Petrini, G. Tomagra, E. Bernardi, E. Moreva, P. Traina, A. Marcantoni, F. Picollo, K. Kvaková, P. Cígler, I. Pietro Degiovanni, V. Carabelli, M. Genovese, Applied Physics Letters 120, 020502 (2022)
"Quantum technologies in diamond enabled by laser processing", A. N. Giacoumaki, G. Coccia, V. Bharadwaj, J. P. Hadden, A. J. Bennett, B. Sotillo, R. Yoshizaki, P. Olivero, O. Jedrkiewicz, R. Ramponi, S. M. Pietralunga, M. Bollani, A. Bifone, P. E. Barclay, A. Kubanek, S. M. Eaton, Applied Physics Letters 120, 020502 (2022)
"Spectral emission dependence of tin-vacancy centers in diamond from thermal processing and chemical functionalization", E. Corte, S. Sachero, S. Ditalia Tchernij, T. Lühmann, S. Pezzagna, P. Traina, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Moreva, P. Olivero, J. Meijer, M. Genovese, J. Forneris, Advanced Photonics Research 2021, 2100148 (2021)
"Creation of pure non-crystalline diamond nanostructures via room temperature ion irradiation and subsequent thermal annealing", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, F. Bosia, F. Scaffidi Muta, P. Olivero, V. Rigato, S. Rubanov, Nanoscale Advances 3, 4156 (2021)
"Spectral features of Pb-related color centers in diamond - A systematic photoluminescence characterization", S. Ditalia Tchernij, E. Corte, T. Lühmann, P. Traina, S. Pezzagna, I. P. Degiovanni, G. Provatas, E. Moreva, J. Meijer, P. Olivero, M. Genovese, J. Forneris, New Journal of Physics 23, 063032 (2021)
"Fluorine-based color centers in diamond", S. Ditalia Tchernij, T. Lühmann, E. Corte, F. Sardi, F. Picollo, P. Traina, M. Brajkovic, A. Crnjac, S. Pezzagna, Ż. Pastuović, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Moreva, P. Aprà, P. Olivero, Z. Siketić, J. Meijer, M. Genovese, J. Forneris, Scientific Reports 10, 21537 (2020)
"A biocompatible technique for magnetic field sensing at (sub)cellular scale using Nitrogen-Vacancy centers", E. Bernardi, E. Moreva, P. Traina, G. Petrini, S. Ditalia Techernij, J. Forneris, Ż. Pastuović, I. P. Degiovanni, P. Olivero, M. Genovese, EPJ Quantum Technology 7, 13 (2020)
"Practical applications of quantum sensing: A simple method to enhance the sensitivity of nitrogen-vacancy-based temperature sensors", E. Moreva, E. Bernardi, P. Traina, A. Sosso, S. Ditalia Tchernij, J. Forneris, F. Picollo, G. Brida, Ż. Pastuović, I. P. Degiovanni, P. Olivero, M. Genovese, Physical Review Applied 13, 054057 (2020)
"Triggering neurotransmitters secretion from single cells by x-ray nanobeam irradiation", F. Picollo, G. Tomagra, V. Bonino, V. Carabelli, L. Mino, P. Olivero, A. Pasquarelli, M. Truccato, Nano Letters 20, 3889 (2020)
"Structural characterization of 8 MeV 11B implanted diamond", P. Aprà, J. Ripoll-Sau, J. Manzano-Santamaría, C. Munuera, J. Forneris, S. Ditalia Tchernij, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, E. Vittone, M. D. Ynsa, Diamond and Related Materials 104, 107770 (2020)
"Quantum nanophotonics with group IV defects in diamond", C. Bradac, W. Gao, J. Forneris, M. E. Trusheim, I. Aharonovic, Nature Communications 10, 5625 (2019)
"Simultaneous multisite detection of quantal release from PC12 cells using micro graphitic-diamond multi electrode arrays", G. Tomagra, C. Franchino, A. Pasquarelli, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, V. Carabelli, F. Picollo, Biophysical Chemistry 253, 106241 (2019)
"Micro graphite-patterned diamond sensors: towards the simultaneous in vitro detection of molecular release and action potentials generation from excitable cells", G. Tomagra, P. Aprà, A. Battiato, C. Collà Ruvolo, A. Pasquarelli, A. Marcantoni, E. Carbone, V. Carabelli, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, Carbon 152, 424-433 (2019)
"Quantum micro-nano devices fabricated in diamond by femtosecond laser and ion irradiation", S. M. Eaton, V. Bharadwaj, B. Sotillo, A. N. Giakoumaki, R. Osellame, R. Ramponi, P. E. Barclay, J. P. Hadden, F. Picollo, F. Bosia, P. Olivero, J. Forneris, O. Jedrkiewicz, A. Chiappini, M. Ferrari, Advanced Quantum Technologies 2, 1900006 (2019)
"Quantal release of dopamine and action potential firing detected in midbrain neurons by multifunctional diamond-based microarrays", G. Tomagra, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, B. Picconi, S. De Marchis, A. Pasquarelli, P. Olivero, A. Marcantoni, P. Calabresi, E. Carbone, V. Carabelli, Frontiers in Neuroscience 13, 288 (2019)
"Feasibility study towards comparison of the g(2)(0) measurement in the visible range", E. Moreva, P. Traina, R. Kirkwood, M. Lopez, G. Brida, M. Gramegna, I. Ruo Berchera, J. Forneris, S. Ditalia Tchernij, P. Olivero, C. Chunnilall, S. Kueck, M. Genovese, I. Degiovanni, Metrologia 56, 015016 (2019)
"Synthesis and characterization of porphyrin functionalized nanodiamonds", F. Picollo, L. Mino, A. Battiato, S. Ditalia Tchernij, J. Forneris, K. Martina, M. Sacco, S. Tagliapietra, E. Vittone, P. Olivero, A. Barge, Diamond and Related Materials 91, 22 (2019)
"Single-photon emitters in lead-implanted single-crystal diamond", S. Ditalia Tchernij, T. Lühmann, T. Herzig, J. Küpper, A. Damin, S. Santonocito, M. Signorile, P. Traina, E. Moreva, F. Celegato, S. Pezzagna, I. P. Degiovanni, P. Olivero, M. Jakšić, J. Meijer, M. Genovese, J. Forneris, ACS Photonics 5, 4864-4871 (2018)
"Quantum-optical characterization of single-photon emitters created by MeV proton irradiation of HPHT diamond nanocrystals", E. Moreva, P. Traina, A. Tengattini, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, S. Ditalia Tchernij, I. P. Degiovanni, G. Brida, M. Genovese, V. Rigato, P. Olivero, J. Forneris, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 435, 318 (2018)
"Mapping the local spatial charge in defective diamond by means of NV sensors – A "self-diagnostic" concept", J. Forneris, S. Ditalia Tchernij, P. Traina, E. Moreva, N. Skukan, M. Jakšić, V. Grilj, F. Bosia, E. Enrico, G. Amato, I. P. Degiovanni, B. Naydenov, F. Jelezko, M. Genovese, P. Olivero, Physical Review Applied 10, 014024 (2018)
"Nanodiamonds-induced effects on neuronal firing of mouse hippocampal microcircuits", L. Guarina, C. Calorio, D. Gavello, E. Moreva, P. Traina, A. Battiato, S. Ditalia Tchernij, J. Forneris, M. Gai, F. Picollo, P. Olivero, M. Genovese, E. Carbone, A. Marcantoni, V. Carabelli, Scientific Reports 8, 2221 (2018)
"Polarized micro-Raman studies of femtosecond laser written stress-induced optical waveguides in diamond", B. Sotillo, A. Chiappini, V. Bharadwaj, J. P. Hadden, F. Bosia, P. Olivero, M. Ferrari, R. Ramponi, P. E. Barclay, S. M. Eaton, Applied Physics Letters 112, 031109 (2018)
"Characterization of CVD heavily B-doped diamond thin films for Multi Electrode Array biosensors", G. Pippione, P. Olivero, M. Fisher, M. Schreck, A. Pasquarelli, Physica Status Solidi A 214 (11), 1700223 (2017)
"Direct experimental observation of nonclassicality in ensembles of single photon emitters", E. Moreva, P. Traina, J. Forneris, I. P. Degiovanni, S. Ditalia Tchernij, F. Picollo, G. Brida, P. Olivero, M. Genovese, Physical Review B 96 (19), 195209 (2017)
"Single-photon-emitting optical centers in diamond fabricated upon Sn implantation", S. Ditalia Tchernij, T. Herzig, J. Forneris, J. Küpper, S. Pezzagna, P. Traina, E. Moreva, I. P. Degiovanni, G. Brida, N. Skukan, M. Genovese, M. Jakšić, J. Meijer, P. Olivero, ACS Photonics 4 (10), 2580-2586 (2017)
"Photo-physical properties of He-related color centers in diamond", G. Prestopino, M. Marinelli, E. Milani, C. Verona, G. Verona-Rinati, P. Traina, E. Moreva, I. P. Degiovanni, M. Genovese, S. Ditalia Tchernij, F. Picollo, P. Olivero, J. Forneris, Applied Physics Letters 111, 111105 (2017)
"Fabrication of monolithic microfluidic channels in diamond with ion beam lithography", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, L. Boarino, S. Ditalia, E. Enrico, J. Forneris, A. Gilardino, M. Jakšić, F. Sardi, N. Skukan, A. Tengattini, P. Olivero, A. Re, E. Vittone, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 404, 193-197 (2017)
"Channeling STIM analysis of radiation damage in single crystal diamond membrane", I. Sudić, D. Cosic, S. Ditalia Tchernij, P. Olivero, M. Pomorski, N. Skukan, M. Jakšić, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 404, 96-99 (2017)
"Refractive index variation in a free-standing diamond thin film induced by irradiation with fully transmitted high-energy protons", S. Lagomarsino, S. Calusi, M. Massi, N. Gelli, S. Sciortino, F. Taccetti, L. Giuntini, A. Sordini, M. Vannoni, F. Bosia, D. Gatto Monticone, P. Olivero, B. A. Fairchild, P. Kashyap, A. D. C. Alves, M. A. Strack, S. Prawer, A. D. Greentree, Scientific Reports 7, 385 (2017)
"Electrical characterization of a graphite-diamond-graphite junction fabricated by MeV carbon implantation", S. Ditalia Tchernij, N. Skukan, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, V. Grilj, G. Amato, L. Boarino, E. Enrico, M. Jakšić, P. Olivero, J. Forneris, Diamond and Related Materials 74, 125-131 (2017)
"Planar diamond-based multiarrays to monitor neurotransmitter release and action potential firing: new perspectives in cellular neuroscience", V. Carabelli, A. Marcantoni, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, A. Pasquarelli, P. Olivero, E. Carbone, ACS Chemical Neuroscience 8, 252-264 (2017)
"Electrical control of deep NV centers in diamond by means of sub-superficial graphitic micro-electrodes", J. Forneris, S. Ditalia Tchernij, A. Tengattini, E. Enrico, V. Grilj, N. Skukan, G. Amato, L. Boarino, M. Jakšić, P. Olivero, Carbon 113, 76-78 (2017)
"The V+I defects in diamond: an ab initio investigation of the electronic structure, of the Raman and IR spectra, and of their possible recombination", S. Salustro, Y. Nöel, C. M. Zicovich-Wilson, P. Olivero, R. Dovesi, Journal of Chemical Physics 145, 184701 (2016)
"Microelectrode arrays of diamond-insulated graphitic channels for real time detection of exocytotic events from cultured chromaffin cells and slices of adrenal glands", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, A. Marcantoni, A. Pasquarelli, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, V. Carabelli, Analytical Chemistry 88, 7493-7499 (2016)
"Diamond sensors for future high energy experiments", F. Bachmair et al. (RD42 Collaboration), Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 831, 370-377 (2016)
"Micro and nano-patterning of single-crystal diamond by swift heavy ion irradiation", G. García, I. Preda, M. Díaz-Híjar, V. Tormo-Márquez, O. Peña-Rodríguez, J. Olivares, F. Bosia, N. M. Pugno, F. Picollo, L. Giuntini, A. Sordini, P. Olivero, L. López-Mir, C. Ocal, Diamond and Related Materials 69, 1-7 (2016)
"Creation and characterization of He-related color centers in diamond", J. Forneris, A. Tengattini, S. Ditalia, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, P. Traina, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Moreva, G. Brida, V. Grilj, N. Skukan, M. M. Jakšić, M. Genovese, Journal of Luminescence 179, 59-63 (2016)
"Softening the ultra-stiff: controlled variation of Young's modulus in single-crystal diamond", A. Battiato, M. Lorusso, E. Bernardi, F. Picollo, F. Bosia, D. Ugues, A. Zelferino, A. Damin, J. Baima, N. M. Pugno, E. P. Ambrosio, P. Olivero, Acta Materialia 16, 95-103 (2016)
"A 3D Diamond Detector for Particle Tracking", M. Artuso et al. (RD42 Collaboration), Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 824, 402-405 (2016)
"Characterization of the recovery of mechanical properties of ion-implanted diamond after thermal annealing", M. Mohr, F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, J. Forneris, A. Tengattini, E. Enrico, L. Boarino, F. Bosia, H.-J. Fecht, P. Olivero, Diamond and Related Materials 63, 75-79 (2016)
"All-carbon multi-electrode array for real-time in vitro measurements of oxidizable neurotransmitters", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, M. Plaitano, C. Franchino, S. Gosso, A. Pasquarelli, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, V. Carabelli, Scientific Reports 6, 20682 (2016)
"Raman spectroscopic features of the neutral vacancy in diamond from ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations", J. Baima, A. Zelferino, P. Olivero, A. Erba, R. Dovesi, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 18, 1961-1968 (2016)
"Effects of high-power laser irradiation on sub-superficial graphitic layers in single crystal diamond", F. Picollo, S. Rubanov, C. Tomba, A. Battiato, E. Enrico, A. Perrat-Mabilon, C. Peaucelle, T. N. Tran Thi, L. Boarino, E. Gheeraert, P. Olivero, Acta Materialia 103, 665-671 (2015)
"Electrical stimulation of non-classical photon emission from diamond color centers by means of sub-superficial graphitic electrodes", J. Forneris, P. Traina, D. Gatto Monticone, G. Amato, L. Boarino, G. Brida, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Enrico, E. Moreva, V. Grilj, N. Skukan, M. Jakšić, M. Genovese, P. Olivero, Scientific Reports 5, 15901 (2015)
"Realization of a diamond based high density multi electrode array by means of deep ion beam lithography", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, L. Boarino, E. Enrico, J. Forneris, D. Gatto Monticone, P. Olivero, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 348, 199-202 (2015)
"Micro-beam and pulsed laser beam techniques for the micro-fabrication of diamond surface and bulk structures", S. Sciortino, M. Bellini, F. Bosia, S. Calusi, C. Corsi, C. Czelusniak, N. Gelli, L. Giuntini, F. Gorelli, S. Lagomarsino, P. A. Mandò, M. Massi, P. Olivero, G. Parrini, M. Santoro, A. Sordini, A. Sytchkova, F. Taccetti, M. Vannoni, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 348, 191-198 (2015)
"Electroluminescence from a diamond device with ion-beam-micromachined buried graphitic electrodes", J. Forneris, A. Battiato, D. Gatto Monticone, F. Picollo, G. Amato, L. Boarino, G. Brida, I. P. Degiovanni, E. Enrico, M. Genovese, E. Moreva, P. Traina, C. Verona, G. Verona-Rinati, P. Olivero, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 348, 187-190 (2015)
"Kelvin probe characterization of buried graphitic microchannels in single-crystal diamond", E. Bernardi, A. Battiato, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, E. Vittone, Journal of Applied Physics 117, 024103 (2015)
"Development and characterization of a diamond-insulated graphitic multi electrode array realized with ion beam lithography", F. Picollo, A. Battiato, E. Carbone, L. Croin, E. Enrico, J. Forneris, S. Gosso, P. Olivero, A. Pasquarelli, V. Carabelli, Sensors 15, 515-528 (2015)
"Single-photon emitters based on NIR colour centres in diamond coupled with solid immersion lenses", D. Gatto Monticone, J. Forneris, M. Levi, A. Battiato, F. Picollo, P. Olivero, P. Traina, E. Moreva, E. Enrico, G. Brida, I. P. Degiovanni, M. Genovese, G. Amato, L. Boarino, International Journal of Quantum Information 12 (7-8), 1560011 (2014)
"Beating the Abbe diffraction limit in confocal microscopy via nonclassical photon statistics", D. Gatto Monticone, K. Katamadze, P. Traina, E. Moreva, J. Forneris, I. Ruo-Berchera, P. Olivero, I. P. Degiovanni, G. Brida, M. Genovese, Physical Review Letters 113, 143602 (2014)
"A 3-dimensional interdigitated electrode geometry for the enhancement of charge collection efficiency in diamond detectors", J. Forneris, A. Lo Giudice, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, A. Re, M. Marinelli, F. Pompili, C. Verona, G. Verona Rinati, M. Benetti, D. Cannata, F. Di Pietrantonio, Europhysics Letters 108, 18001 (2014)
"An analytical model for the mechanical deformation of locally graphitized diamond", M. Piccardo, F. Bosia, P. Olivero, N. Pugno, Diamond and Related Materials 48, 73-81 (2014)
"Native NIR-emitting single colour centres in CVD diamond", D. Gatto Monticone, P. Traina, E. Moreva, J. Forneris, P. Olivero, I. P. Degiovanni, F. Taccetti, L. Giuntini, G. Brida, G. Amato, M. Genovese, New Journal of Physics 16, 053005 (2014)
"Measurement and modelling of anomalous polarity pulses in a multi electrode diamond detector", J. Forneris, V. Grilj, M. Jakšić, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, N. Skukan, C. Verona, G. Verona-Rinati, E. Vittone, Europhysics Letters 104, 28005 (2013)
"Systematic study of defect-related quenching of NV luminescence in diamond with time correlated single photon counting spectroscopy", D. Gatto Monticone, F. Quercioli, R. Mercatelli, S. Soria, S. Borini, T. Poli, M. Vannoni, E. Vittone, P. Olivero, Physical Review B 88, 155201 (2013)
"A new diamond biosensor with integrated graphitic microchannels for detecting quantal exocytic events from chromaffin cells", F. Picollo, S. Gosso, E. Vittone, A. Pasquarelli, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, V. Carabelli, Advanced Materials 25 (34), 4696-4700 (2013)
"Direct measurement and modelling of internal strains in ion-implanted diamond", F. Bosia, N. Argiolas, M. Bazzan, B. A. Fairchild, A. D. Greentree, D. W. M. Lau, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, S. Rubanov, S. Prawer, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 25, 385403 (2013)
"IBIC characterization of an ion-beam-micromachined multi-electrode diamond detector", J. Forneris, V. Grilj, M. Jakšić, A. Lo Giudice, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, N. Skukan, C. Verona, G. Verona-Rinati, E.Vittone, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 306, 181-185 (2013)
"Splitting of photo-luminescent emission from nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond induced by ion-damage-induced stress", P. Olivero, F. Bosia, B. A. Fairchild, B. C. Gibson, A. D. Greentree, P. Spizzirri, S. Prawer, New Journal of Physics 15, 043027 (2013)
"Complex refractive index variation in proton-damaged diamond", S. Lagomarsino, P. Olivero, S. Calusi, D. Gatto Monticone, L. Giuntini, M. Massi, S. Sciortino, A. Sytchkova, A. Sordini, M. Vannoni, Optics Express 20 (17), 19382-19394 (2012)
"Fabrication and electrical characterization of three-dimensional graphitic microchannels in single crystal diamond", F. Picollo, D. Gatto Monticone, P. Olivero, B. A. Fairchild, S. Rubanov, S. Prawer, E. Vittone, New Journal of Physics 14, 053011 (2012)
"An upper limit on the lateral vacancy diffusion length in diamond", J. O. Orwa, K. Ganesan, J. Newnham, C. Santori, P. Barclay, K. M. C. Fu, R. G. Beausoleil, I. Aharonovich, B. A. Fairchild, P. Olivero, A. D. Greentree, S. Prawer, Diamond and Related Materials 24, 6-10 (2012)
"Spectroscopic measurement of the refractive index of ion-implanted diamond", A. Battiato, F. Bosia, S. Ferrari, P. Olivero, A. Sytchkova, E. Vittone, Optics Letters 37 (4), 671-673 (2012)
"Focused ion beam fabrication and IBIC characterization of a diamond detector with buried electrodes", P. Olivero, J. Forneris, M. Jakšić, Ż. Pastuović, F. Picollo, N. Skukan, E. Vittone, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 269, 2340-2344 (2011)
"Ultra-smooth single crystal diamond surfaces resulting from implantation and lift-off processes", T. N. Tran Thi, B. Fernandez, D. Eon, E. Gheeraert, J. Härtwig, T. A. Lafford, A. Perrat-Mabilon, C. Peaucelle, P. Olivero, E. Bustarret, Physica Status Solidi A 208 (9), 2057-2061 (2011)
"Modification of the structure of diamond with MeV ion implantation", F. Bosia, N. Argiolas, M. Bazzan, P. Olivero, F. Picollo, A. Sordini, M. Vannoni, E. Vittone, Diamond and Related Materials 20, 774-778 (2011)
"Diamond pixel modules", D. Asner et al. (RD42 Collaboration), Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 636, S125-S129 (2011)
"Lateral IBIC characterization of single crystal synthetic diamond detectors", A. Lo Giudice, P. Olivero, C. Manfredotti, M. Marinelli, E. Milani, F. Picollo, G. Prestopino, A. Re, V. Rigato, C. Verona, G. Verona-Rinati, E. Vittone, Physica Status Solidi - Rapid Research Letters 5 (2), 80-82 (2011)
"Evidence of light guiding in ion-implanted diamond", S. Lagomarsino, P. Olivero, F. Bosia, M. Vannoni, S. Calusi, L. Giuntini, M. Massi, Physical Review Letters 105, 233903 (2010)
"Luminescence centers in proton irradiated single crystal CVD diamond", C. Manfredotti, S. Calusi, A. Lo Giudice, L. Giuntini, M. Massi, P. Olivero, A. Re, Diamond and Related Materials 19, 854-860 (2010)
"Formation of buried conductive micro-channels in single crystal diamond with MeV C and He implantation", F. Picollo, P. Olivero, F. Bellotti, Ż. Pastuović, N. Skukan, A. Lo Giudice, G. Amato, M. Jakšić, E. Vittone, Diamond and Related Materials 19, 466-469 (2010)
"Controlled variation of the refractive index in ion-damaged diamond", P. Olivero, S. Calusi, L. Giuntini, S. Lagomarsino, A. Lo Giudice, M. Massi, S. Sciortino, M. Vannoni, E. Vittone, Diamond and Related Materials 19, 428-431 (2010)
"Finite element analysis of ion-implanted diamond surface swelling", F. Bosia, P. Olivero, E. Vittone, F. Picollo, A. Lo Giudice, M. Jakšić, N. Skukan, L. Giuntini, M. Massi, S. Calusi, M. Vannoni, S. Lagomarsino, S. Sciortino, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 268, 2991-2995 (2010)
"Direct fabrication and IV characterization of sub-surface conductive channels in diamond with MeV ion implantation", P. Olivero, G. Amato, F. Bellotti, S. Borini, A. Lo Giudice, F. Picollo, E. Vittone, The European Physical Journal B 75 (2), 127 132 (2010)
"Direct fabrication of three-dimensional buried conductive channels in single crystal diamond with ion microbeam induced graphitization", P. Olivero, G. Amato, F. Bellotti, O. Budnyk, E. Colombo, M. Jakšić, A. Lo Giudice, C. Manfredotti, Ż. Pastuović, F. Picollo, N. Skukan, M. Vannoni, E. Vittone, Diamond and Related Materials 18, 870-876 (2009)

Citations
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one.
Confucius
Crystals are like people: it is the defects in them that make them interesting.
Sir F. C. Frank
Square cut or pear shaped these rocks don't lose their shape... diamonds are a girl's best friend!
Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
I never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Dai diamanti non nasce niente, dal letame nascono i fior...
Fabrizio De André in "Via del Campo"