Recently we proposed a new approach which potentially has single spin sensitivity, sub-nanometer spatial resolution, and ability to operate at room temperature (J. Appl. Phys. 97, 014903 (2005); U.S. Patent No. 7,305,869, 2007). In our approach a nanoscale photoluminescent center exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of magnetic moment in the sample related with unpaired individual electron or nuclear spins, or ensemble of spins. We consider as a sensor material that exhibit ODMR properties nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers in diamond. N-V centers in diamond has serious advantage having extraordinary chemical and photostability, very long spin lifetimes, and ability single-spin detection at room temperature. The variety of possible scanning schemes has been considered. The potential application to 3D imaging of biological structure has been analyzed.

Date Published: 22 January 2010
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7608, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices VII, 76080Y (22 January 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.845055

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7608:
Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices VII
Manijeh Razeghi; Rengarajan Sudharsanan; Gail J. Brown, Editor(s)