arXiv subjects

Dmitry Budker

Publications and source records attributed to Dmitry Budker.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Microscopic theory of a precessing ferromagnet for ultrasensitive magnetometry

Levitated systems have great potential in quantum sensing and exploring quantum effects at the macroscopic scale. Of particular interest are recent works suggesting that a levitated ferromagnet can beat the standard quantum limit of magnetometry. This work offers a theoretical model to analyze and understand critical features of the precessing dynamics of a levitated ferromagnetic needle, indeed much like a macrospin, in the presence of a weak magnetic field. The dynamics from the atomic scale reveals how the standard quantum limit is surpassed, thus verifying sensing advantages when compared with a collection of independent spins. Our theory further takes us to two additional experimental designs of immediate interest: measurement of the celebrated Berry phase with a precessing ferromagnetic needle and the use of its nutation motion to sense a low-frequency oscillating magnetic field. With a microscopic theory established for levitated ferromagnetic needles, future studies of macroscopic quantum effects and the associated quantum-classical transition also become possible.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Zero- to Ultralow-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Zero and ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance (ZULF NMR) is an NMR modality where experiments are performed in fields at which spin-spin interactions within molecules and materials are stronger than Zeeman interactions. This typically occurs at external fields of microtesla strength or below, considerably smaller than Earth's field. In ZULF NMR, the measurement of spin-spin couplings and spin relaxation rates provides a nondestructive means for identifying chemicals and chemical fragments, and for conducting sample or process analyses. The absence of the symmetry imposed by a strong external magnetic field enables experiments that exploit terms in the nuclear spin Hamiltonian that are suppressed in high-field NMR, which in turn opens up new capabilities in a broad range of fields, from the search for dark matter to the preparation of hyperpolarized contrast agents for clinical imaging. Furthermore, as in ZULF NMR the Larmor frequencies are typically in the audio band, the nuclear spins can be manipulated with d.c. magnetic field pulses, and highly sensitive magnetometers are used for detection. In contrast to high-field NMR, the low-frequency signals readily pass through conductive materials such as metals, and heterogeneous samples do not lead to resonance line broadening, meaning that high-resolution spectroscopy is possible. Notable practical advantages of ZULF NMR spectroscopy are the low cost and relative simplicity and portability of the spectrometer system. In recent years ZULF NMR has become more accessible, thanks to improvements in magnetometer sensitivity and their commercial availability, and the development of hyperpolarization methods that provide a simple means to boost signal strengths by several orders of magnitude. These topics are reviewed and a perspective on potential future avenues of ZULF-NMR research is presented.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2025

New Constraints on Axion Mediated Dipole-Dipole Interactions

The search for axions sits at the intersection of solving critical problems in fundamental physics, including the strong CP problem in QCD, uncovering the nature of dark matter, and understanding the origin of the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry. The measurement of axion-mediated spin-dependent interactions offers a powerful approach for axion detection. However, it has long been restricted to regions outside the 'axion window' due to a significant trade-off: the need to effectively suppress the magnetic leakage from highly polarized spin sources while simultaneously detecting sub-femtotesla level exotic physics signals at sub-decimeter-scale distances. In this work, we report new experimental results on axion-mediated exotic spin-spin interactions using an iron-shielded SmCo$_5$ spin source in combination with a specially designed self-compensation comagnetometer. Employing a composite shielding structure, we achieved a suppression of the magnetic field by up to $10^{11}$. This enabled us to establish new constraints on the coupling between electrons and neutrons, surpassing previous experimental limits by more than 10000 times within the axion window. Furthermore, we also set strongest constraints on the coupling between electrons and protons. The proposed method holds substantial potential not only for advancing the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model but also for enabling transformative applications in biological and chemical research.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Towards detection of molecular parity violation via chiral co-sensing: the $^1$H/$^{31}$P model system

Fundamental weak interactions have been shown to violate parity in both nuclear and atomic systems. However, observation of parity violation in a molecular system has proven an elusive target. Nuclear spin dependent contributions of the weak interaction are expected to result in energetic differences between enantiomers manifesting in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra as chemical shift differences on the order of $10^{-6}$ Hz to $10^{-3}$ Hz for high-$Z$ nuclei. By employing simultaneous measurements of the diastereomeric splittings for a light and a heavy nucleus in solution-state NMR, residual chemical shift differences persisting in non-chiral environment between enantiomers of chiral compounds smaller than the typical linewidth of high-field NMR may be resolved. Sources of error must be identified and minimized to verify that the observed effect is, in fact, due to parity violation and not systematic effects. This paper presents a detailed analysis of a system incorporating \textsuperscript{31}P and \textsuperscript{1}H NMR to elucidate the systematic effects and to guide experiments with higher-$Z$ nuclei where molecular parity violation may be resolved.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2024

Study of NbN as superconducting material for the usage in superconducting radio frequency cavities

A new axion-haloscope is setup at the Johannes Gutenberg university of Mainz, named the Supax (a SUPerconducting AXion search) experiment. This setup is used to characterize the behaviour of a NbN coated superconducting cavity in a 2.5T strong magnetic field, at a resonance frequency of 8.4GHz. We observe an increasing surface resistance with increasing magnetic field, leading to a decreasing quality factor. The behaviour is similar to that of previously studied cavities using Nb3Tn.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Ultralight dark matter detection with levitated ferromagnets

Levitated ferromagnets act as ultraprecise magnetometers, which can exhibit high quality factors due to their excellent isolation from the environment. These instruments can be utilized in searches for ultralight dark matter candidates, such as axionlike dark matter or dark-photon dark matter. In addition to being sensitive to an axion-photon coupling or kinetic mixing, which produce physical magnetic fields, ferromagnets are also sensitive to the effective magnetic field (or "axion wind") produced by an axion-electron coupling. While the dynamics of a levitated ferromagnet in response to a DC magnetic field have been well studied, all of these couplings would produce AC fields. In this work, we study the response of a ferromagnet to an applied AC magnetic field and use these results to project their sensitivity to axion and dark-photon dark matter. We pay special attention to the direction of motion induced by an applied AC field, in particular, whether it precesses around the applied field (similar to an electron spin) or librates in the plane of the field (similar to a compass needle). We show that existing levitated ferromagnet setups can already have comparable sensitivity to an axion-electron coupling as comagnetometer or torsion balance experiments. In addition, future setups can become sensitive probes of axion-electron coupling, dark-photon kinetic mixing, and axion-photon coupling, for ultralight dark matter masses $m_\mathrm{DM}\lesssim\mathrm{feV}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Searching for dark matter with a 1000 km baseline interferometer

Axion-like particles (ALPs) arise from well-motivated extensions to the Standard Model and could account for dark matter. ALP dark matter would manifest as a field oscillating at an (as of yet) unknown frequency. The frequency depends linearly on the ALP mass and plausibly ranges from $10^{-22}$ to $10$ eV/$c^2$. This motivates broadband search approaches. We report on a direct search for ALP dark matter with an interferometer composed of two atomic K-Rb-$^3$He comagnetometers, one situated in Mainz, Germany, and the other in Kraków, Poland. We leverage the anticipated spatio-temporal coherence properties of the ALP field and probe all ALP-gradient-spin interactions covering a mass range of nine orders of magnitude. No significant evidence of an ALP signal is found. We thus place new upper limits on the ALP-neutron, ALP-proton and ALP-electron couplings reaching below $g_{aNN}<10^{-9}$ GeV$^{-1}$, $g_{aPP}<10^{-7}$ GeV$^{-1}$ and $g_{aee}<10^{-6}$ GeV$^{-1}$, respectively. These limits improve upon previous laboratory constraints for neutron and proton couplings by up to three orders of magnitude.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Towards high-sensitivity magnetometry with nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond using the singlet infrared absorption

The negatively-charged nitrogen vacancy (NV$^{-}$) center in diamond is widely used for quantum sensing since the sensitivity of the spin triplet in the electronic ground state to external perturbations such as strain and electromagnetic fields make it an excellent probe for changes in these perturbations. The spin state can be measured through optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), which is most commonly achieved by detecting the photoluminescence (PL) after exciting the spin-triplet transition. Recently, methods have been proposed and demonstrated that use the absorption of the infrared singlet transition at 1042 nm instead. These methods however require cryogenic temperatures or external cavities to enhance the absorption signal. Here, we report on our optimization efforts of the magnetometer sensitivity at room temperature and without cavities. We reach sensitivities of 18 pT$/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, surpassing previously reported values. We also report on a defect that is native to CVD-grown diamond and thus absent in HPHT diamond, the excitation of which impacts the measured singlet absorption signal.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Remote Detection Optical Magnetometry

Sensitive magnetometers have been applied in a wide range of research fields, including geophysical exploration, bio-magnetic field detection, ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance, etc. Commonly, magnetometers are directly placed at the position where the magnetic field is to be measured. However, in some situations, for example in near space or harsh environments, near nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, it is hard to place a magnetometer directly there. If the magnetic field can be detected remotely, i.e., via stand-off detection, this problem can be solved. As optical magnetometers are based on optical readout, they are naturally promising for stand-off detection. We review various approaches to optical stand-off magnetometry proposed and developed over the years, culminating in recent results on measuring magnetic fields in the mesosphere using laser guide stars, magnetometry with mirrorless-lasing readout, and proposals for satellite-assisted interrogation of atmospheric sodium.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Spin-dependent exotic interactions

Novel interactions beyond the four known fundamental forces in nature (electromagnetic, gravitational, strong and weak interactions), may arise due to "new physics" beyond the standard model, manifesting as a "fifth force". This review is focused on spin-dependent fifth forces mediated by exotic bosons such as spin-0 axions and axionlike particles and spin-1 Z' bosons, dark photons, or paraphotons. Many of these exotic bosons are candidates to explain the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and their interactions may violate fundamental symmetries. Spin-dependent interactions between fermions mediated by the exchange of exotic bosons have been investigated in a variety of experiments, particularly at the low-energy frontier. Experimental methods and tools used to search for exotic spin-dependent interactions, such as atomic comagnetometers, torsion balances, nitrogen-vacancy spin sensors, and precision atomic and molecular spectroscopy, are described. A complete set of interaction potentials, derived based on quantum field theory with minimal assumptions and characterized in terms of reduced coupling constants, are presented. A comprehensive summary of existing experimental and observational constraints on exotic spin-dependent interactions is given, illustrating the current research landscape and promising directions of further research.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Temperature shift of magnetic-field-dependent photoluminescence features of nitrogen-vacancy ensembles in diamond

Recently significant attention has been paid to magnetic-field-dependent photoluminescence (PL) features of the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. These features are used for microwave-free sensing and are indicative of the spin-bath properties in the diamond sample. Examinating the temperature dependence of the PL features allows to identify both temperature dependent and independent features, and to utilize them in diamond-based quantum sensing and dynamic nuclear polarization applications. Here, we study the thermal variability of many different features visible in a wide range of magnetic fields. To this end, we first discuss the origin of the features and tentatively assign the previously unidentified features to cross relaxation of NV center containing multi-spin systems. The experimental results are compared with theoretically predicted temperature shifts deduced from a combination of thermal expansion and electron-phonon interactions. A deeper insight into the thermal behavior of a wide array of the features may come with important consequences for various applications in high-precision NV thermometry, gyroscopes, solid-state clocks, and biomagnetic measurements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Microwave-free imaging magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers in nanodiamonds at near-zero field

Magnetometry using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond predominantly relies on microwave spectroscopy. However, microwaves may hinder certain studies involving biological systems or thin conductive samples. This work demonstrates a wide-field, microwave-free imaging magnetometer utilizing NV centers in nanodiamonds by exploiting the cross-relaxation feature near zero magnetic fields under ambient conditions without applying microwaves. For this purpose, we measure the center shift, contrast, and linewidth of the zero-field cross-relaxation in 140 nm nanodiamonds drop-cast on a current-carrying conductive pattern while scanning a background magnetic field, achieving a sensitivity of 4.5 $\mathrm{μT/\sqrt{Hz}}$. Our work allows for applying the NV zero-field feature in nanodiamonds for magnetic field sensing in the zero and low-field regimes and highlights the potential for microwave-free all-optical wide-field magnetometry based on nanodiamonds.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Constraints on exotic interactions from scalar spin-spin coupling in tritium deuteride (DT)

A comparison of theoretical and experimental values of the scalar spin-spin interaction ($J$-coupling) in tritium deuteride molecules yield constraints for nucleon-nucleon exotic interactions of the dimensionless coupling strengths $g_Vg_V$, $g_Ag_A$ and $g_pg_p$, corresponding to the exchange of an vector, axial-vector, and pseudoscalar (axionlike) boson. The couplings between proton ($p$) and nucleon ($N$), denoted by $g_V^p g_V^N$, $g_p^p g_p^N$ are constrained to be less than $1.4 \times 10^{-6}$ and $2.7\times 10^{-6}$, respectively, for boson masses around 5 keV. The coupling constant $g_A^p g_A^N$ is constrained to be less than $1.0 \times 10^{-18}$ for boson masses $\leq 100$ eV. It is noteworthy that this study represents the first instance in which constraints on $g_V g_V$ have been established through the analysis of the potential term $V_2 + V_3$ for both tritium deuteride and hydrogen deuteride molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Search for fast-oscillating fundamental constants with space missions

While it is possible to estimate the dark matter density at the Sun distance from the galactic center, this does not give information on actual dark matter density in the Solar system. There can be considerable local enhancement of dark matter density in the vicinity of gravitating centers, including the Sun, the Earth, as well as other planets in the solar system. Generic mechanisms for the formation of such halos were recently elucidated. In this work, we studies the possible halo dark matter overdensities and corresponding dark matter masses allowed for various objects in the solar system. We explore spacecraft missions to detect such halos with instruments such as quantum clocks, atomic and molecular spectrometers designed to search for fast (tens of hertz to gigahertz) oscillations of fundamental constants, highly sensitive comagnetometers, and other quantum sensors and sensor networks.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Ramsey interferometry of nuclear spins in diamond using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage

We report the first experimental demonstration of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in nuclear-spin transitions of $^{14}$N within nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond. It is shown that the STIRAP technique suppresses the occupation of the intermediate state, which is a crucial factor for improvements in quantum sensing technology. Building on that advantage, we develop and implement a generalized version of the Ramsey interferometric scheme, employing half-STIRAP pulses to perform the necessary quantum-state manipulation with high fidelity. The enhanced robustness of the STIRAP-based Ramsey scheme to variations in the pulse parameters is experimentally demonstrated, showing good agreement with theoretical predictions. Our results pave the way for improving the long-term stability of diamond-based sensors, such as gyroscopes and frequency standards.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Constraining Ultralight Dark Matter through an Accelerated Resonant Search

Experiments aimed at detecting ultralight dark matter typically rely on resonant effects, which are sensitive to the dark matter mass that matches the resonance frequency. In this study, we investigate the nucleon couplings of ultralight axion dark matter using a magnetometer operating in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) mode. Our approach involves the use of a $^{21}$Ne spin-based sensor, which features the lowest nuclear magnetic moment among noble-gas spins. This configuration allows us to achieve an ultrahigh sensitivity of 0.73 fT/Hz$^{1/2}$ at around 5 Hz, corresponding to energy resolution of approximately 1.5$\times 10^{-23}\,\rm{eV/Hz^{1/2}}$. Our analysis reveals that under certain conditions it is beneficial to scan the frequency with steps significantly larger than the resonance width. The analytical results are in agreement with experimental data and the scan strategy is potentially applicable to other resonant searches. Further, our study establishes stringent constraints on axion-like particles (ALP) in the 4.5--15.5 Hz Compton-frequency range coupling to neutrons and protons, improving on prior work by several-fold. Within a band around 4.6--6.6 Hz and around 7.5 Hz, our laboratory findings surpass astrophysical limits derived from neutron-star cooling. Hence, we demonstrate an accelerated resonance search for ultralight dark matter, achieving an approximately 30-fold increase in scanning step while maintaining competitive sensitivity.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Near zero-field microwave-free magnetometry with ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

We study cross-relaxation features near zero magnetic field with ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and examine their properties in samples with a range (0.9 ppm - 16.0 ppm) of NV concentrations. The observed NV-NV cross-relaxation features between differently oriented NV centers in high (greater than 0.9 ppm)-NV-density samples hold promise for a variety of magnetometry applications where microwave fields (or any bias field) disturb the system under study. We theoretically determine the values of the bias magnetic fields corresponding to cross-relaxations between different axes and experimentally validate them. The behavior of zero-field cross-relaxation features as a function of temperature is also investigated.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance of Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond under Weak Laser Excitation

As promising quantum sensors, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have been widely used in frontier studies in condensed matter physics, material sciences, and life sciences. In practical applications, weak laser excitation is favorable as it reduces the side effects of laser irradiation, for example, phototoxicity and heating. Here we report a combined theoretical and experimental study of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of NV-center ensembles under weak 532-nm laser excitation. In this regime, both the width and splitting of ODMR spectra decrease with increasing laser power. This power dependence is reproduced with a model considering laser-induced charge neutralization of NV--N+ pairs, which alters the local electric field environment. These results are important for understanding and designing NV-based quantum sensing in light-sensitive applications.

quant-ph↗