Optical detection of magnetic resonance

Fast, Broad-Band Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy with Diamond Widefield Relaxometry

We present an alternative to conventional Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy equipment. Avoiding the use of bulky magnets and magnetron equipment, we use the photoluminescence of an ensemble of Nitrogen-Vacancy centers at the surface of a diamond. Monitoring their relaxation time (or T1), we detected their cross-relaxation with a compound of interest. In addition, the EPR spectra are encoded through a localized magnetic field gradient. While recording previous data took 12 min per data point with individual NV centers, we were able to reconstruct a full spectrum at once in 3 s, over a range from 3 to 11 G. In terms of sensitivity, only 0.5 μL of a 1 μM hexaaquacopper(II) ion solution was necessary.

Optically stimulated electron paramagnetic resonance: Simplicity, versatility, information content

A simple technique for observing optically stimulated electron paramagnetic resonance (OSEPR) is proposed and investigated. The versatility and information content of the described technique is demonstrated by the example of the OSEPR spectra of systems that are unpopular for this type of spectroscopy: a crystal with rare-earth ions Nd³⁺ and a doped semiconductor GaAs. In addition, the OSEPR spectrum of atomic cesium is presented, in which an optical nonlinearity is observed that makes it possible to estimate the Rabi frequency for the relevant optical transition. The effects observed in the described experiments (switching of peaks to dips, light-induced splitting of the OSEPR lines, and the appearance of a spectral feature at the double-Larmor frequency) are interpreted using the model proposed in the theoretical part of the work. The suggested interpretation shows the possibility of using the described OSEPR technique to estimate not only 'magnetic' parameters of the model Hamiltonian (g-factors, spin relaxation times), but also the Rabi frequencies characterizing optical transitions.

Nanoscale quantum sensing with Nitrogen-Vacancy centers in nanodiamonds - A magnetic resonance perspective

Nanodiamonds containing fluorescent Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers are the smallest single particles, of which a magnetic resonance spectrum can be recorded at room temperature using optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). By recording spectral shift or changes in relaxation rates, various physical and chemical quantities can be measured such as the magnetic field, orientation, temperature, radical concentration, pH or even NMR. This turns NV-nanodiamonds into nanoscale quantum sensors, which can be read out by a sensitive fluorescence microscope equipped with an additional magnetic resonance upgrade. In this review, we introduce the field of ODMR spectroscopy of NV-nanodiamonds and how it can be used to sense different quantities. Thereby we highlight both, the pioneering contributions and the latest results (covered until 2021) with a focus on biological applications.