Magnetic noise from ultra-thin abrasively deposited materials on diamond

TL;DR

This study reveals that abrasive deposition of ultra-thin metallic layers on diamond surfaces introduces a broadband magnetic noise, impacting NV-based sensing of 2D materials and emphasizing the importance of surface passivation.

Contribution

It demonstrates a previously unreported magnetic noise source from ultra-thin abrasive deposits on diamond, affecting NV sensing of 2D materials.

Findings

Abrasive metal deposits induce broadband magnetic noise.

Ultra-thin (<1 nm) structures cause detectable noise.

Surface passivation is crucial for accurate NV sensing.

Abstract

Sensing techniques based on the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond have emerged as promising candidates to characterise ultra-thin and 2D materials. An outstanding challenge to this goal is isolating the contribution of 2D materials from undesired contributions arising from surface contamination, and changes to the diamond surface induced by the sample or transfer process. Here we report on such a scenario, in which the abrasive deposition of trace amounts of materials onto a diamond gives rise to a previously unreported source of magnetic noise. By deliberately scratching the diamond surface with macroscopic blocks of various metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Au), we are able to form ultra-thin structures (i.e. with thicknesses down to $<1$\,nm), and find that these structures give rise to a broadband source of noise. Explanation for these effects are discussed, including spin and charge noise native to the sample and/or induced by sample-surface interactions, and indirect effects, where the deposited material affects the charge stability and magnetic environment of the sensing layer. This work illustrates the high sensitivity of NV noise spectroscopy to ultra-thin materials down to sub-nm regimes -- a key step towards the study of 2D electronic systems -- and highlights the need to passivate the diamond surface for future sensing applications in ultra-thin and 2D materials.