Spin Lifetime in Small Electron Spin Ensembles Measured by Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy to measure temperature-dependent spin correlation times in small electron spin ensembles, advancing nanoscale spin imaging and understanding of local spin dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a method to measure spin noise in small ensembles and characterizes factors affecting spin correlation times at the nanoscale.

Findings

Temperature dependence of spin correlation time $ au_m$ measured

Controlled magneto-mechanical relaxation effects

Characterization of spurious mechanisms affecting spin noise

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy can enable nanoscale imaging of spin lifetime. We report temperature dependent measurements of the spin correlation time $\tau_m$ of the statistical fluctuations of the spin polarization---the spin noise---of ensembles containing $\sim 100$ electron spins by this technique. Magneto-mechanical relaxation due to spin-cantilever coupling was controlled and spurious mechanisms that can affect the spin correlation time of the microscopic signal were characterized. These measurements have ramifications for optimizing spin sensitivity, understanding local spin dynamics and for nanoscale imaging.