Quantum Dissipative Dynamics of the Magnetic Resonance Force Microscope in the Single-Spin Detection Limit

TL;DR

This paper models the quantum dynamics of a magnetic resonance force microscope (MRFM) for single-spin detection, demonstrating its potential as a quantum measurement device capable of determining both spin magnitude and direction.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive quantum model of MRFM dynamics using influence functional techniques, highlighting its capability for high-resolution single-spin detection and measurement of spin orientation.

Findings

Valid at any temperature and coupling strength

MRFM can measure both spin modulus and direction

Provides a framework for quantum measurement with MRFM

Abstract

We study a model of a magnetic resonance force microscope (MRFM) based on the cyclic adiabatic inversion technique as a high-resolution tool to detect single electron spins. We investigate the quantum dynamics of spin and cantilever in the presence of coupling to an environment. To obtain the reduced dynamics of the combined system of spin and cantilever, we use the Feynman-Vernon influence functional and get results valid at any temperature as well as at arbitrary system-bath coupling strength. We propose that the MRFM can be used as a quantum measurement device, i.e., not only to detect the modulus of the spin but also its direction.