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Journal of the Optical Society of America A

Subwavelength optical magnetic-resonance imaging

Stephan Schiller, Robert L. Byer

Published May 1, 1992• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a theoretical study of optical magnetic-resonance imaging (OMRI), an extension of magnetic-resonance imaging to the optical frequency domain. OMRI images the spatial distribution of centers with field-dependent optical transitions by projection reconstruction from multiple tomographic scans. Spatial resolution is limited by magnetic-field gradient strengths and transition linewidths. These restrict the choice of systems accessible to OMRI, and rare-earth ions are identified as possible candidates. High-resolution laser spectroscopic techniques that overcome the effect of inhomogeneous broadening of electronic transitions are discussed. OMRI by transient hole-burning spectroscopy is presented as one approach for subwavelength spatial imaging, and its sensitivity is calculated. Submicrometer spatial resolution is possible by employing very-high-field gradients (>10 T/cm) and centers exhibiting megahertz linewidths.

DOI
10.1364/josaa.9.000683

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We present a theoretical study of optical magnetic-resonance imaging (OMRI), an extension of magnetic-resonance imaging to the optical frequency domain. OMRI images the spatial distribution of centers with field-dependent optical transitions by projection reconstruction from multiple tomographic scans. Spatial resolution is limited by magnetic-field gradient strengths and transition linewidths. These restrict the choice of systems accessible to OMRI, and rare-earth ions are identified as possible candidates. High-resolution laser spectroscopic techniques that overcome the effect of inhomogeneous broadening of electronic transitions are discussed. OMRI by transient hole-burning spectroscopy is presented as one approach for subwavelength spatial imaging, and its sensitivity is calculated. Submicrometer spatial resolution is possible by employing very-high-field gradients (>10 T/cm) and centers exhibiting megahertz linewidths.
Scanning probe microscopy and gradient imaging are two techniques for imaging at sub-wavelength spatial resolution. Gradient imaging in the form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has so far been demonstrated only in the radio- and microwave frequency domains [1]. An extension of MRI to optical frequencies for imaging (semi-) transparent objects is of interest because an optical photon detection process is inherently more sensitive than magnetic induction detection, potentially leading to increased spatial resolution. Rare-earth ions incorporated into a crystalline host are promising as a prototype system for demonstration of high spatial resolution OMRI.
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Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging is a three-dimensional imaging technique, where a gradient of the magnetic field is used to interrogate spin resonances with spatial resolution. The application of this technique to probe the coherence of atoms with good three-dimensional resolution is a challenging application. We propose and demonstrate an optical method to probe spin resonances via a two-photon Raman transition, reconstructing the 3D-structure of an atomic ensemble’s coherence, which is itself subject to external fields. Our method relies on a single time-and-space resolved heterodyne measurement, allowing the reconstruction of a complex 3D coherence profile. Owing to the optical interface, we reach a tomographic image resolution of 14 × 14 × 36 μm3. The technique allows to probe any transparent medium with a resonance structure and provides a robust diagnostic tool for atom-based quantum information protocols. As such, it is a viable technique for application to magnetometry, electrometry, and imaging of electromagnetic fields.
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Abstract A scanning optical quantum magnetometer with submicron spatial resolution is proposed that is based on the phenomenon of hole burning in the signal of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) on atomic-sized color centers in silicon carbide crystals under conditions of spin level saturation by means of additional high-frequency resonance pumping. An increase in the sensitivity is achieved due to narrowing of the ODMR line and increasing slope of the dependence of signal frequency on the magnetic field.
Nitrogen vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond are a leading modality for both superresolution optical imaging and nanoscale magnetic field sensing. In this work, we address the key challenge of performing optical magnetic imaging and spectroscopy selectively on multiple NV centers that are located within a diffraction-limited field-of-view. We use spin-RESOLFT microscopy to enable precision nanoscale mapping of magnetic field patterns with resolution down to ~20 nm, while employing a low power optical depletion beam. Moreover, we use a shallow NV to demonstrate the detection of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals exterior to the diamond, with 50 nm lateral imaging resolution and without degrading the proton NMR linewidth.