Publication

A diamond-based scanning probe spin sensor operating at low temperature in ultra-high vacuum

Klaus Kern, Markus Ternes
2014
Journal paper
Abstract

We present the design and performance of an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) low temperature scanning probe microscope employing the nitrogen-vacancy color center in diamond as an ultrasensitive magnetic field sensor. Using this center as an atomic-size scanning probe has enabled imaging of nanoscale magnetic fields and single spins under ambient conditions. In this article we describe an experimental setup to operate this sensor in a cryogenic UHV environment. This will extend the applicability to a variety of molecular systems due to the enhanced target spin lifetimes at low temperature and the controlled sample preparation under UHV conditions. The instrument combines a tuning-fork based atomic force microscope (AFM) with a high numeric aperture confocal microscope and the facilities for application of radio-frequency (RF) fields for spin manipulation. We verify a sample temperature of

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related concepts (34)
Atomic force microscopy
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) or scanning force microscopy (SFM) is a very-high-resolution type of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), with demonstrated resolution on the order of fractions of a nanometer, more than 1000 times better than the optical diffraction limit. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), with demonstrated resolution on the order of fractions of a nanometer, more than 1000 times better than the optical diffraction limit.
Scanning probe microscopy
Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is a branch of microscopy that forms images of surfaces using a physical probe that scans the specimen. SPM was founded in 1981, with the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope, an instrument for imaging surfaces at the atomic level. The first successful scanning tunneling microscope experiment was done by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer. The key to their success was using a feedback loop to regulate gap distance between the sample and the probe.
Ultra-high vacuum
Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) is the vacuum regime characterised by pressures lower than about . UHV conditions are created by pumping the gas out of a UHV chamber. At these low pressures the mean free path of a gas molecule is greater than approximately 40 km, so the gas is in free molecular flow, and gas molecules will collide with the chamber walls many times before colliding with each other. Almost all molecular interactions therefore take place on various surfaces in the chamber. UHV conditions are integral to scientific research.
Show more
Related publications (49)

Advances in High-Speed, Multiparametric Atomic Force Microscopy

Santiago Harald Andany

After decades of technological advancements, high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) has emerged as a powerful technique for visualizing dynamic processes. At the nanoscale, the AFM provides valuable insights into the sample by sensing minute interacti ...
EPFL2024

Compact and effective photon-resolved image scanning microscope

Giorgio Tortarolo

Fluorescence confocal laser-scanning microscopy (LSM) is one of the most popular tools for life science research. This popularity is expected to grow thanks to single-photon array detectors tailored for LSM. These detectors offer unique single-photon spati ...
Spie-Soc Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers2024

A diamond spin qubit scanning probe microscope

Dinesh Kevin Mathais Pinto

The properties of a physical system only exist in relation to its environment. This thesis presents the development of a novel spin qubit scanning probe microscope operating over a wide range of environmental conditions. The qubit, which sits at the heart ...
EPFL2023
Show more
Related MOOCs (15)
Micro and Nanofabrication (MEMS)
Learn the fundamentals of microfabrication and nanofabrication by using the most effective techniques in a cleanroom environment.
Microstructure Fabrication Technologies I
Learn the fundamentals of microfabrication and nanofabrication by using the most effective techniques in a cleanroom environment.
Micro and Nanofabrication (MEMS)
Learn the fundamentals of microfabrication and nanofabrication by using the most effective techniques in a cleanroom environment.
Show more