Quantum sensing-enabled deuterium NMR spectroscopy with nanoscale sensitivity at low magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates nanoscale deuterium NMR spectroscopy using NV centers in diamond, achieving high sensitivity at low magnetic fields and enabling molecular dynamics studies at the nanoscale.

Contribution

The work introduces a method for nanoscale deuterium NMR spectroscopy with unprecedented sensitivity at low magnetic fields using NV centers.

Findings

Achieved 6-8 orders of magnitude sensitivity enhancement over inductive detection.

Operated at magnetic fields two orders of magnitude lower than conventional NMR.

Detected temperature-dependent molecular motions and phase transitions.

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides unparalleled access to molecular structure and dynamics but is traditionally limited by weak signal strength, requiring large sample volumes and high magnetic fields. Here, we demonstrate nanoscale deuterium (2H) NMR spectroscopy using nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, reproducing the characteristic quadrupolar powder line shapes that are present in the conventional bulk NMR spectra. By detecting statistical spin fluctuations from nanometer scale detection volumes, our approach delivers a sensitivity enhancement of six to eight orders of magnitude over inductive detection while operating at magnetic fields two orders of magnitude lower than those used in conventional NMR. Temperature dependent measurements of a deuterated polymer and molecular solid reveal distinct motional averaging and phase transitions with nanoscale sensitivity. Powder-like NV detected 2H NMR establishes a powerful tool for probing molecular dynamics on the nanoscale and, in the ultimate limit, at the single molecule level - capabilities beyond those of most existing spectroscopic techniques.