Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins

Abstract Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (nanoMRI) is crucial for advancing molecular-level structural analysis, yet existing techniques relying on permanent magnets face limitations in controllability and resolution. This study addresses the gap by introducing a switchable magnetic field gradi...

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Main Authors: Leora Schein-Lubomirsky, Yarden Mazor, Rainer Stöhr, Andrej Denisenko, Amit Finkler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Communications Physics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02019-y
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author Leora Schein-Lubomirsky
Yarden Mazor
Rainer Stöhr
Andrej Denisenko
Amit Finkler
author_facet Leora Schein-Lubomirsky
Yarden Mazor
Rainer Stöhr
Andrej Denisenko
Amit Finkler
author_sort Leora Schein-Lubomirsky
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (nanoMRI) is crucial for advancing molecular-level structural analysis, yet existing techniques relying on permanent magnets face limitations in controllability and resolution. This study addresses the gap by introducing a switchable magnetic field gradient on a scanning tip, enabling localized, high-gradient magnetic fields at the nanoscale. Here, we demonstrate a device combining a metal microwire on a quartz tip with a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, achieving gradients up to 1 μT nm−1 at fields below 200 μT. This allows electron spin mapping with 1 nm resolution, overcoming challenges like emitter contrast and sample preparation rigidity. The current-controlled gradient, switchable in 600 ns, enhances precision and flexibility. Additionally, the metallic tip modifies Rabi power spatially, enabling selective spin manipulation with varying microwave effects. This innovation paves the way for advanced nanoMRI applications, including high-resolution imaging and targeted spin control in quantum sensing and molecular studies.
format Article
id doaj-art-dbacf57eab5c4abd976a30e7e4a0e510
institution DOAJ
issn 2399-3650
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Communications Physics
spelling doaj-art-dbacf57eab5c4abd976a30e7e4a0e5102025-08-20T03:01:41ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Physics2399-36502025-03-01811710.1038/s42005-025-02019-yPulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spinsLeora Schein-Lubomirsky0Yarden Mazor1Rainer Stöhr2Andrej Denisenko3Amit Finkler4Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of ScienceSchool of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv UniversityPhysikalisches Institut, Universität StuttgartPhysikalisches Institut, Universität StuttgartDepartment of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of ScienceAbstract Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (nanoMRI) is crucial for advancing molecular-level structural analysis, yet existing techniques relying on permanent magnets face limitations in controllability and resolution. This study addresses the gap by introducing a switchable magnetic field gradient on a scanning tip, enabling localized, high-gradient magnetic fields at the nanoscale. Here, we demonstrate a device combining a metal microwire on a quartz tip with a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, achieving gradients up to 1 μT nm−1 at fields below 200 μT. This allows electron spin mapping with 1 nm resolution, overcoming challenges like emitter contrast and sample preparation rigidity. The current-controlled gradient, switchable in 600 ns, enhances precision and flexibility. Additionally, the metallic tip modifies Rabi power spatially, enabling selective spin manipulation with varying microwave effects. This innovation paves the way for advanced nanoMRI applications, including high-resolution imaging and targeted spin control in quantum sensing and molecular studies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02019-y
spellingShingle Leora Schein-Lubomirsky
Yarden Mazor
Rainer Stöhr
Andrej Denisenko
Amit Finkler
Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
Communications Physics
title Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
title_full Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
title_fullStr Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
title_full_unstemmed Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
title_short Pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
title_sort pulsed magnetic field gradient on a tip for nanoscale imaging of spins
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02019-y
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AT andrejdenisenko pulsedmagneticfieldgradientonatipfornanoscaleimagingofspins
AT amitfinkler pulsedmagneticfieldgradientonatipfornanoscaleimagingofspins