arXiv · 1802.03845
$T_2$-limited sensing of static magnetic fields via fast rotation of quantum spins
Abstract
Diamond-based quantum magnetometers are more sensitive to oscillating (AC) magnetic fields than static (DC) fields because the crystal impurity-induced ensemble dephasing time $T_2^*$, the relevant sensing time for a DC field, is much shorter than the spin coherence time $T_2$, which determines the sensitivity to AC fields. Here we demonstrate measurement of DC magnetic fields using a physically rotating ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy centres at a precision ultimately limited by $T_2$ rather than $T_2^*$. The rotation period of the diamond is comparable to $T_2$ and the angle between the NV axis and the target magnetic field changes as a function of time, thus upconverting the static magnetic field to an oscillating field in the physically rotating frame. Using spin-echo interferometry of the rotating NV centres, we are able to perform measurements for over a hundred times longer compared to a conventional Ramsey experiment. With modifications our scheme could realise DC sensitivities equivalent to demonstrated NV center AC magnetic field sensitivities of order $0.1$\,nT\,Hz$^{-1/2}$.
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A. A. Wood, A. G. Aeppli, E. Lilette, Y. Y. Fein, A. Stacey, L. C. L. Hollenberg, R. E. Scholten, A. M. Martin. 2018-02-12. $T_2$-limited sensing of static magnetic fields via fast rotation of quantum spins. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.98.174114
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