Reporter-spin-assisted T1 relaxometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a reporter-spin-assisted method for T1 relaxometry using a diamond NV center, significantly improving measurement speed and enabling new spin sensing applications without optical readout.

Contribution

It proposes and experimentally verifies a novel reporter spin approach that enhances T1 relaxometry performance and broadens the scope of spin sensor applications.

Findings

Achieved a 10^4 times increase in measurement speed.

Demonstrated the method with a single shallow NV center.

Enabled relaxation sensing without optical initialization/readout.

Abstract

A single spin quantum sensor can quantitatively detect and image fluctuating electromagnetic fields via their effect on the sensor spin's relaxation time, thus revealing important information about the target solid-state or molecular structures. However, the sensitivity and spatial resolution of spin relaxometry are often limited by the distance between the sensor and target. Here, we propose an alternative approach that leverages an auxiliary reporter spin in conjunction with a single spin sensor, a diamond nitrogen vacancy (NV) center. We show that this approach can realize a 10^4 measurement speed improvement for realistic working conditions and we experimentally verify the proposed method using a single shallow NV center. Our work opens up a broad path of inquiry into a range of possible spin systems that can serve as relaxation sensors without the need for optical initialization and readout capabilities.