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arXiv:1103.4816 · Physical Review B

Nanoscale magnetometry using a single-spin system in diamond

Ressa S. Said, Dominic William Berry, Jason Twamley

Published Mar 17, 2011• 56 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose a protocol to estimate magnetic fields using a single nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) center in diamond, where the estimate precision scales inversely with time, $\ensuremath{\delta}B~1/T$, rather than the square-root of time, $\ensuremath{\delta}B~1/\sqrt{T}$. The method is based on converting the task of magnetometry into phase estimation, performing quantum phase estimation on a single N-V nuclear spin using either adaptive or nonadaptive feedback control, and the recently demonstrated capability to perform single-shot readout within the N-V [P. Neumann et al., Science 329, 542 (2010)]. We present numerical simulations to show that our method provides an estimate whose precision scales close to $~$$1/T$ ($T~$ the total estimation time), and moreover will give an unambiguous estimate of the static magnetic field experienced by the N-V. By combining this protocol with recent proposals for scanning magnetometry using an N-V, our protocol will provide a significant decrease in signal acquisition time while providing an unambiguous spatial map of the magnetic field.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.83.125410

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arXiv:2209.08703•Science•Dec 22, 2022•75 citations
We propose a protocol to estimate magnetic fields using a single nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) center in diamond, where the estimate precision scales inversely with time, \ensuremathδB 1/T\ensuremath{\delta}B~1/T\ensuremathδB 1/T, rather than the square-root of time, \ensuremathδB 1/T\ensuremath{\delta}B~1/\sqrt{T}\ensuremathδB 1/T​. The method is based on converting the task of magnetometry into phase estimation, performing quantum phase estimation on a single N-V nuclear spin using either adaptive or nonadaptive feedback control, and the recently demonstrated capability to perform single-shot readout within the N-V [P. Neumann et al., Science 329, 542 (2010)]. We present numerical simulations to show that our method provides an estimate whose precision scales close to ~$$1/T (T T~T  the total estimation time), and moreover will give an unambiguous estimate of the static magnetic field experienced by the N-V. By combining this protocol with recent proposals for scanning magnetometry using an N-V, our protocol will provide a significant decrease in signal acquisition time while providing an unambiguous spatial map of the magnetic field.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is a promising quantum metrology tool finding applications across disciplines. The spin sensor measures magnetic fields, electric fields and temperature with nano-scale precision and is fully operable under ambient conditions. Moreover, it achieves precision scaling inversely with total measurement time σB ∝ 1/T (Heisenberg scaling) rather than as the inverse of the square root of T, with σB = √T the Shot-Noise limit. This scaling can be achieved by means of phase estimation algorithms (PEAs), in combination with single-shot read-out. Despite their accuracy, the range of applicability of PEAs is limited to sensing single frequencies with negligible temporal fluctuations. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signals from molecules often contain multifrequency components and sensing them using PEA is ruled out. Here we propose an alternative method for precision magnetometry in frequency multiplexed signals via compressive sensing (CS) techniques focusing on nanoscale NMR. We show that CS can provide for precision scaling approximately as σB ≈ 1/T, as well as for a 5-fold increase in sensitivity over dynamic-range gain, in addition to reducing the total number of resources required. We illustrate our method by taking model solid-state spectra of Glycine acquired under Magic Angle Spinning conditions.
We present an experimental method to perform dual-channel lock-in magnetometry of time-dependent magnetic fields using a single spin associated with a nitrogen-vacancy color center in diamond. We incorporate multipulse quantum sensing sequences with phase estimation algorithms to achieve linearized field readout and constant, nearly decoherence-limited sensitivity over a wide dynamic range. Furthermore, we demonstrate unambiguous reconstruction of the amplitude and phase of the magnetic field. We show that our technique can be applied to measure random phase jumps in the magnetic field, as well as phase-sensitive readout of the frequency.
Precision measurements of weak magnetic fields with nanoscale spatial resolution is an outstanding challenge in many fields including medicine, biology, material science and physical science. It has already been demonstrated that a single electronic spin formed by a defect color center in diamond, known as the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center, can serve as a highly sensitive magnetometer with nanoscale resolution, even under ambient conditions. However, standard quantum sensing methods have significant drawbacks. These include the limited dynamic range due to quantum phase ambiguity, the non-linearity in sensitivity over the detectable field range, the requirement of prior knowledge of a working point for accurate deconvolution, etc. This thesis explores novel quantum control techniques such as the use of phase estimation algorithms (PEA) for magnetic field detection to address these issues. Unlike in the standard approach, PEA readout is linearly dependent on the field being sensed. PEA employed on oscillating (AC) magnetic fields can not only detect unknown field amplitudes but also allows detection of the field phase. The thesis also compares the performance of nonadaptive-PEA (NAPEA) with that of adaptive-PEA (QPEA) and conclude that NAPEA is superior to QPEA due to (a) better sensitivity on average, (b) consistency in sensitivity throughout the full field range, (c) comparatively less demanding measurement fidelity, and (d) for simplicity in its experimental realization. The techniques developed here can potentially have broad applicability to a wide variety of solid-state quantum systems and in the field of quantum control and measurement.
Quantum sensors based on single Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) defects in diamond are state-of-the-art tools for nano-scale magnetometry with precision scaling inversely with total measurement time σB∝1/Tσ_{B} \propto 1/TσB​∝1/T (Heisenberg scaling) rather than as the inverse of the square root of TTT, with σB=1/Tσ_{B} =1/\sqrt{T}σB​=1/T​ the Shot-Noise limit. This scaling can be achieved by means of phase estimation algorithms (PEAs) using adaptive or non-adaptive feedback, in combination with single-shot readout techniques. Despite their accuracy, the range of applicability of PEAs is limited to periodic signals involving single frequencies with negligible temporal fluctuations. In this Letter, we propose an alternative method for precision magnetometry in frequency multiplexed signals via compressive sensing (CS) techniques. We show that CS can provide for precision scaling approximately as σB≈1/Tσ_{B} \approx 1/TσB​≈1/T, both in the case of single frequency and frequency multiplexed signals, as well as for a 5-fold increase in sensitivity over dynamic-range gain, in addition to reducing the total number of resources required.
Individual, scannable nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in single crystal diamond nanostructures enable nanoscale, quantitative imaging of magnetic stray fields. Nevertheless, important parameters like distance between the NV center and the sample and the orientation of the NV high symmetry axis are often not known precisely and enter data evaluation as free fitting parameters. We here use scanning NV imaging on micro-patterned, perpendicularly magnetized stripes and discs. From these measurements, we directly infer NV - sample distance d_NV and the NV's azimuthal orientation without the need for an external vector magnet control. We determine d_NV = 31.5 nm, while we infer the azimuthal orientation with a precision of 3°. We additionally employ commercially available silicon needles to image the apex topography of our diamond nanostructures to detect surface contamination. Simultaneously, monitoring NV fluorescence as a function of the needle's position allows us to estimate the lateral placement of the NV inside the diamond nanostructure.
Nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are atom-scale defects that can be used to sense magnetic fields with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Typically, the magnetic field is measured by averaging sequential measurements of single NV centers, or by spatial averaging over ensembles of many NV centers, which provides mean values that contain no nonlocal information about the relationship between two points separated in space or time. Here, we propose and implement a sensing modality whereby two or more NV centers are measured simultaneously, and we extract temporal and spatial correlations in their signals that would otherwise be inaccessible. We demonstrate measurements of correlated applied noise using spin-to-charge readout of two NV centers and implement a spectral reconstruction protocol for disentangling local and nonlocal noise sources.