Wide dynamic range magnetic field cycler: Harnessing quantum control at low and high fields

TL;DR

This paper presents a rapid, versatile magnetic field cycler capable of switching between low and high magnetic fields within milliseconds, enabling advanced quantum control, sensing, and hyperpolarization applications.

Contribution

The authors developed a fast, high-resolution field cycling device that integrates low and high field capabilities in a single platform for quantum and magnetic resonance applications.

Findings

Achieved magnetic field sweeps from 1mT to 7T in under 700ms.

Demonstrated low-field hyperpolarization of 13C nuclei in diamond.

Enabled new experiments in quantum control and sensing across diverse magnetic regimes.

Abstract

We describe the construction of a fast field cycling device capable of sweeping a 4-order-of-magnitude range of magnetic fields, from ~1mT to 7T, in under 700ms. Central to this system is a high-speed sample shuttling mechanism between a superconducting magnet and a magnetic shield, with the capability to access arbitrary fields in between with high resolution. Our instrument serves as a versatile platform to harness the inherent dichotomy of spin dynamics on offer at low and high fields - in particular, the low anisotropy, fast spin manipulation, and rapid entanglement growth at low field as well as the long spin lifetimes, spin specific control, and efficient inductive measurement possible at high fields. Exploiting these complementary capabilities in a single device open up applications in a host of problems in quantum control, sensing, and information storage, besides in nuclear hypepolarization, relaxometry and imaging. In particular, in this paper, we focus on the ability of the device to enable low-field hyperpolarization of 13C nuclei in diamond via optically pumped electronic spins associated with Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) defect centers.