Quantum calibrated magnetic force microscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum calibration method for magnetic force microscopy using nitrogen vacancy centers, enabling precise, traceable nanoscale magnetic field measurements beyond previous capabilities.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum calibration technique for MFM that improves accuracy and extends measurement range using NV centers in diamond.

Findings

Successful quantum calibration of MFM demonstrated

Achieved nanoscale stray field measurements with quantum traceability

Extended measurement range beyond traditional NV magnetometry

Abstract

We report the quantum calibration of a magnetic force microscope (MFM) by measuring the two-dimensional magnetic stray field distribution of the MFM tip using a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond. From the measured stray field distribution and the mechanical properties of the cantilever a calibration function is derived allowing to convert MFM images to quantum calibrated stray field maps. This novel approach overcomes limitations of prior MFM calibration schemes and allows quantum calibrated nanoscale stray field measurements in a field range inaccessible to scanning NV magnetometry. Quantum calibrated measurements of a stray field reference sample allow its use as a transfer standard, opening the road towards fast and easily accessible quantum traceable calibrations of virtually any MFM.