arXiv subjects

Isabel Cardoso Barbosa

Publications and source records attributed to Isabel Cardoso Barbosa.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Limits of absolute vector magnetometry with NV centers in diamond

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond has become a widely used platform for quantum sensing. The four NV axes in mono-crystalline diamond specifically allow for vector magnetometry, with magnetic-field sensitivities reaching down to $\mathrm{fT}/ \sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$. The current literature primarily focuses on improving the precision of NV-based magnetometers. Here, we study the experimental accuracy of determining the magnetic field from measured spin-resonance frequencies via solving the NV Hamiltonian. We derive exact, analytical, and fast-to-compute formulas for calculating resonance frequencies from a known magnetic-field vector, and vice versa, formulas for calculating the magnetic-field vector from measured resonance frequencies. Additionally, the accuracy of often-used approximations is assessed. Finally, we promote using the Voigt profile as a fit model to determine the linewidth of measured resonances accurately. An open-source Python package accompanies our analysis.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Miniaturized magnetic-field sensor based on nitrogen-vacancy centers

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is a prime candidate for quantum sensing technologies. Here, we present a fully integrated and mechanically robust fiber-based endoscopic sensor with a tip diameter of $1.25 \mathrm{mm}$. On its tip, a direct laser writing process is used to fixate a diamond containing NV centers above the fiber's core inside a polymer structure. Additionally, a metallic direct laser-written antenna structure next to the fiber facet allows efficient microwave manipulation of NV center spins. The sensor achieves a shot-noise-limited magnetic-field sensitivity of $5.9 \mathrm{nT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ using a $15 \mathrm{μm}$-sized microdiamond at a microwave power of $50 \mathrm{mW}$ and optical power of $2.15 \mathrm{mW}$. Using lock-in techniques, we measure a sensitivity of $51.8 \mathrm{nT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$. Furthermore, we introduce a dual-fiber concept that enables, in combination with a direct laser-written structure, independent guiding of excitation and fluorescence light and thus reduces background autofluorescence. Moreover, controlled guiding of excitation light to the diamond while avoiding sample illumination may enable operation in light-sensitive environments such as biological tissue. While the demonstrated sensitivity is achieved using a single-fiber configuration, the dual-fiber approach provides a path towards integrating smaller diamonds, where autofluorescence would otherwise limit performance. We demonstrate the capability of vector magnetic field measurements in a magnetic field as used in state-of-the-art ultracold quantum gas experiments, opening a potential field in which high resolution and high sensitivity are necessary.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2024

Probing the fluctuating magnetic field of Fe-triazole spin-crossover thin-layers with nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Fe$^{\mathrm{II}}$ spin-crossover (SCO) complexes are materials that change their magnetic properties upon temperature variation, exhibiting a thermal hysteresis. Particularly interesting for magnetic-memory applications are thin layers of SCO complexes, where practical magnetic probing techniques are required. While conventional magnetometry on SCO complexes employs cryogenic temperatures, nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are quantum magnetometers that can operate at room temperature with high spatial resolution and magnetic-field sensitivity. In this work, we apply thin layers of Fe-triazole SCO complexes directly onto a single-crystal diamond with shallow NV centers working as magnetic sensors and probe the fluctuating magnetic field. Using temperature-dependent NV-center $T_1$ measurements and a widefield technique, we find that the complexes are paramagnetic in the investigated temperature range from 20 °C to 80 °C. We quantitatively describe the $T_1$ time by a model considering the fluctuating magnetic field of the Fe$^{\mathrm{II}}$ ions. We see signatures of a local change of spin state in the $T_1$ relaxometry data, but structural changes in the SCO material dominate the local magnetic environment of the NV centers. Moreover, we conduct a Hahn echo to measure the $T_2$ time, which contrasts the findings of the $T_1$ times for the SCO complexes. We attribute this to different NV detection sensitivities towards Fe$^{\mathrm{II}}$ and Fe$^{\mathrm{III}}$ of the protocols. Our results on the magnetic properties of SCO materials highlight the capabilities of the NV center as a susceptible sensor for fluctuating magnetic fields. At the same time, a spin switching of the complexes cannot be observed due to the systematic challenges when working on nanometer distances to the SCO thin layers.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Temperature dependence of charge conversion during NV-center relaxometry

Temperature-dependent nitrogen-vacancy (NV)-center relaxometry is an established tool to characterize paramagnetic molecules near to a sensing diamond, gaining momentum in different fields of science. However, recent results indicate that conversion between NV-center charge states impedes these measurements and influences the results for the $T_1$ time. While the temperature dependence of NV centers' $T_1$ time is well-studied, additional contributions from temperature-dependent charge conversion during the dark time may further affect the measurement results. We combine temperature-dependent relaxometry and fluorescence spectroscopy at varying laser powers to unravel the temperature dependence of charge conversion in nanodiamond for biologically relevant temperatures. While we observe a decrease of the $T_1$ time with increasing temperatures, charge conversion remains unaffected by the temperature change. These results allow the temperature dependent performance of $T_1$ relaxometry without further consideration of temperature dependence of charge conversion.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Impact of Charge Conversion on NV-Center Relaxometry

Relaxometry schemes employing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds are essential in biology and physics to detect a reduction of the color centers' characteristic spin relaxation ($T_1$) time caused by, e.g., paramagnetic molecules in proximity. However, while only the negatively-charged NV center is to be probed in these pulsed-laser measurements, an inevitable consequence of the laser excitation is the conversion to the neutrally-charged NV state, interfering with the result for the negatively-charged NV centers' $T_1$ time or even dominating the response signal. In this work, we perform relaxometry measurements on an NV ensemble in nanodiamond combining a $520\,$nm excitation laser and microwave excitation while simultaneously recording the fluorescence signals of both charge states via independent beam paths. Correlating the fluorescence intensity ratios to the fluorescence spectra at each laser power, we monitor the ratios of both charge states during the $T_1$-time measurement and systematically disclose the excitation-power-dependent charge conversion. Even at laser intensities below saturation, we observe charge conversion, while at higher intensities, charge conversion outweighs spin relaxation. These results underline the necessity of low excitation power and fluorescence normalization before the relaxation time to accurately determine the $T_1$ time and characterize paramagnetic species close to the sensing diamond.

quant-ph↗