  We investigate the sensitivity of a recently proposed method for precision
measurement [Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 140502 (2011)], focusing on an
implementation based on solid-state spin systems. The scheme amplifies a
quantum sensor response to weak external fields by exploiting its coupling to
spin impurities in the environment. We analyze the limits to the sensitivity
due to decoherence and propose dynamical decoupling schemes to increase the
spin coherence time. The sensitivity is also limited by the environment spin
polarization; therefore we discuss strategies to polarize the environment spins
and present a method to extend the scheme to the case of zero polarization. The
coherence time and polarization determine a figure of merit for the
environment's ability to enhance the sensitivity compared to echo-based sensing
schemes. This figure of merit can be used to engineer optimized samples for
high-sensitivity nanoscale magnetic sensing, such as diamond nanocrystals with
controlled impurity density.
