OIST uses electron spin in diamond to move a levitating device

Researchers at OIST used electron spins in diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers to drive the motion of a levitating device weighing about 100 mg, roughly 8–9 orders of magnitude more massive than previous spin-mechanical experiments. The displacement was measured with picometer precision, and the work was published in Science Advances.

• The ~100 mg device levitates on a diamagnetic suspension
• Diamond NV-center spins generated the force that moved it
• Displacement was measured with picometer precision
• Goal is testing whether gravity follows quantum rules