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# Diamonds; MRI probe

A nitrogen vacancy (small circles) within a diamond crystal shows promise as a "bit" for quantum computers in part because of its great sensitivity to magnetic fields-a sensitivity that also could enable MRI-like studies on objects as small as living cells or single molecules. When green light strikes the nitrogen vacancy, it fluoresces red; detecting variations in this fluorescence permit scientists to extract its information.

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September 22, 2009

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