Dynamical decoupling methods in nanoscale NMR

TL;DR

This paper reviews various dynamical decoupling techniques using microwave control fields to enhance nanoscale NMR with NV quantum sensors, improving sensitivity and selectivity in detecting nuclear spins at ambient conditions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of different MW radiation patterns and dynamical decoupling methods applied in nanoscale NMR using NV centers.

Findings

Enhanced coherence times of NV sensors through dynamical decoupling

Improved spectral resolution in nanoscale NMR measurements

Identification of optimal MW control schemes for specific applications

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) schemes can be applied to micron-, and nanometer-sized samples by the aid of quantum sensors such as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond. These minute devices allow for magnetometry of nuclear spin ensembles with high spatial and frequency resolution at ambient conditions, thus having a clear impact in different areas such as chemistry, biology, medicine, and material sciences. In practice, NV quantum sensors are driven by microwave (MW) control fields with a twofold objective: On the one hand, MW fields bridge the energy gap between NV and nearby nuclei which enables a coherent and selective coupling among them while, on the other hand, MW fields remove environmental noise on the NV leading to enhanced interrogation time. In this work we review distinct MW radiation patterns, or dynamical decoupling techniques, for nanoscale NMR applications.