Scanning magnetic field microscope with a diamond single-spin sensor

TL;DR

This paper presents a scanning magnetic field microscope utilizing a single nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond as an ultrasensitive, nanoscale magnetic sensor capable of room-temperature operation for imaging and characterizing magnetic nanostructures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scanning device using a single NV center in diamond as a magnetic sensor for nanoscale imaging at room temperature.

Findings

Achieved nanoscale magnetic field detection with a single-spin sensor.

Demonstrated potential for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy.

Operates effectively at room temperature.

Abstract

We describe a scanning device where a single spin is used as an ultrasensitive, nanoscale magnetic field sensor. As this "probe spin" we consider a single nitrogen-vacancy defect center in a diamond nanocrystal, attached to the tip of the scanning device. Changes in the local field seen by the probe spin are detected by optically monitoring its electron paramagnetic resonance transition. The room-temperature scanning device may be useful for performing nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, and for the characterization of magnetic nanostructures down to the single atom level.