Advances in nano- and microscale NMR spectroscopy using diamond quantum sensors

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of diamond NV center quantum sensors for nano- and microscale NMR spectroscopy, highlighting recent advances, potential applications, and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of NV center-based quantum sensing for NMR, emphasizing recent technological progress and future application prospects.

Findings

NV centers enable detection of NMR signals at single-proton scale

Quantum sensors significantly enhance spatial resolution in NMR

Discussion of challenges and future directions in NV-based NMR

Abstract

Quantum technologies have seen a rapid developmental surge over the last couple of years. Though often overshadowed by quantum computation, quantum sensors show tremendous potential for widespread applications in chemistry and biology. One system stands out in particular: the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, an atomic-sized sensor allowing the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals at unprecedented length scales down to a single proton. In this article, we review the fundamentals of NV center-based quantum sensing and its distinct impact on nano- to microscale NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, we highlight and discuss possible future applications of this novel technology ranging from energy research, material science, or single-cell biology, but also associated challenges of these rapidly developing NMR sensors.