It seems like a science fiction MacGuffin: it uses a purple diamond in a quartz tube exposed to an intense magnetic field. The system creates a maser, the microwave equivalent of a laser.

The team of quantum experts have developed a device known as a maser which uses a specially created purple diamond to amplify weak microwave signals, such as those which can come from deep space.

This distortion changes the way light interacts with the atomic structure of the diamond as it passes through the stone, causing it to look red or, more often, pink. Purple diamonds exist but are ...

A rare Russian pink diamond called the ‘ Spirit of the Rose ’ has set the new world record for the most expensive purple-pink diamond ever sold. The 14.83 carat diamond was auctioned for a ...