We propose an approach for super-resolution optical lithography which is based on the inverse of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The technique uses atomic coherence in an ensemble of spin systems whose final state population can be optically detected. In principle, our method is capable of producing arbitrary one and two dimensional high-resolution patterns with high contrast.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has approached the limit of single molecule sensitivity, however the spectral resolution is currently insufficient to obtain detailed information on chemical structure and molecular interactions. Here we demonstrate more than two orders of magnitude improvement in spectral resolution by performing correlation spectroscopy with shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) magnetic sensors in diamond. In principle, the resolution is sufficient to observe chemical shifts in $sim$1 T magnetic fields, and is currently limited by molecular diffusion at the surface. We measure oil diffusion rates of $D = 0.15 - 0.2$,nm$^2/mathrm{mu}$s within (5 nm)$^3$ volumes at the diamond surface.
Magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) is a scanning probe technique capable of detecting MRI signals from nanoscale sample volumes, providing a paradigm-changing potential for structural biology and medical research. Thus far, however, experiments have not reached suffcient spatial resolution for retrieving meaningful structural information from samples. In this work, we report MRFM imaging scans demonstrating a resolution of 0.9 nm and a localization precision of 0.6 nm in one dimension. Our progress is enabled by an improved spin excitation protocol furnishing us with sharp spatial control on the MRFM imaging slice, combined with overall advances in instrument stability. From a modeling of the slice function, we expect that our arrangement supports spatial resolutions down to 0.3 nm given suffcient signal-to-noise ratio. Our experiment demonstrates the feasibility of sub-nanometer MRI and realizes an important milestone towards the three-dimensional imaging of macromolecular structures.
Magnetic resonance with ensembles of electron spins is nowadays performed in frequency ranges up to 240 GHz and in corresponding magnetic fields of up to 10 T. However, experiments with single electron and nuclear spins so far only reach into frequency ranges of several 10 GHz, where existing coplanar waveguide structures for microwave (MW) delivery are compatible with single spin readout techniques (e.g. electrical or optical readout). Here, we explore the frequency range up to 90 GHz, respectively magnetic fields of up to $approx 3,$T for single spin magnetic resonance in conjunction with optical spin readout. To this end, we develop MW resonators with optical single spin access. In our case, rectangular E-band waveguides guarantee low-loss supply of microwaves to the resonators. Three dimensional cavities, as well as coplanar waveguide resonators enhance MW fields by spatial and spectral confinement with a MW efficiency of $1.36,mathrm{mT/sqrt{W}}$. We utilize single NV centers as hosts for optically accessible spins, and show, that their properties regarding optical spin readout known from smaller fields (<0.65 T) are retained up to fields of 3 T. In addition, we demonstrate coherent control of single nuclear spins under these conditions. Furthermore, our results extend the applicable magnetic field range of a single spin magnetic field sensor. Regarding spin based quantum registers, high fields lead to a purer product basis of electron and nuclear spins, which promises improved spin lifetimes. For example, during continuous single-shot readout the $^{14}$N nuclear spin shows second-long longitudinal relaxation times.
We compare two transmission electron microscopy (TEM) based techniques that can provide highly spatially resolved quantitative measurements of magnetic induction fields at high sensitivity. To this end, the magnetic induction of a ferromagnetic NiFe nanowire has been measured and compared to micromagnetic modelling. State-of-the-art electron holography has been performed using the averaging of large series of holograms to improve the sensitivity of the measurements. These results are then compared those obtained from pixelated (or 4D) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). This emerging technique uses a pixelated detector to image the local diffraction patterns as the beam is scanned over the sample. For each diffraction pattern, the deflection of the beam is measured and converted into magnetic induction, while scanning the beam allows to build a map. Aberration corrected Lorentz (field-free) configurations of the TEM and STEM were used for an improved spatial resolution. We show that the pixelated STEM approach, even when performed using an old generation of charge-coupled device camera, provides better sensitivity at the expense of spatial resolution. A more general comparison of the two techniques is given.
We propose a theory for a type of apertureless scanning near field microscopy that is intended to allow the measurement of magnetism on a nanometer length scale. A scanning probe, for example a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip, is used to scan a magnetic substrate while a laser is focused on it. The electric field between the tip and substrate is enhanced in such a way that the circular polarization due to the Kerr effect, which is normally of order 0.1% is increased by up to two orders of magnitude for the case of a Ag or W tip and an Fe sample. Apart from this there is a large background of circular polarization which is non-magnetic in origin. This circular polarization is produced by light scattered from the STM tip and substrate. A detailed retarded calculation for this light-in-light-out experiment is presented.
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