At atomic scale, diamonds can briefly trap heat in unexpected ways, transform quantum tech

Scientists at the University of Warwick have discovered that at the atomic scale, diamonds can briefly trap heat around specific atomic defects, creating unexpected “hot spots.” This finding challenges the conventional view of diamond as the world’s best thermal conductor. The team studied a nitrogen-hydrogen defect in diamond (Ns:H-C0) using ultrafast infrared laser pulses and advanced multidimensional coherent spectroscopy (2DIR). Instead of immediate heat dissipation, the defect entered a transient “hot ground state,” where vibrational energy accumulated locally, shifting the defect’s infrared signature for a few picoseconds before decaying. This localized heating occurs because the defect emits high-energy phonons—vibrations that move slowly and scatter quickly—forming a tiny heat bubble that delays energy transfer to the broader diamond lattice. Such momentary local heating is significant because atomic-scale defects are sensitive quantum systems whose stability and precision depend on their environment. The findings have important implications for diamond-based quantum technologies, including ultra-precise sensors and quantum