Magnetic field imaging with nitrogen-vacancy ensembles

Abstract

Part of Focus on Diamond-Based Photonics and Spintronics

We demonstrate a method of imaging spatially varying magnetic fields using a thin layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers at the surface of a diamond chip. Fluorescence emitted by the two-dimensional NV ensemble is detected by a CCD array, from which a vector magnetic field pattern is reconstructed. As a demonstration, ac current is passed through wires placed on the diamond chip surface, and the resulting ac magnetic field patterns are imaged using an echo-based technique with sub-micron resolution over a 140 μm×140 μm field of view, giving single-pixel sensitivity \sim100\,{\rm nT}/\sqrt{{\rm Hz}} . We discuss ongoing efforts to further improve the sensitivity, as well as potential bioimaging applications such as real-time imaging of activity in functional, cultured networks of neurons.

PACS

61.72.J- Point defects and defect clusters

78.55.Hx Other solid inorganic materials

87.50.C- Static and low-frequency electric and magnetic fields effects

85.30.Tv Field effect devices Subjects

Electronics and devices

Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical

Semiconductors

Medical physics

Biological physics

Condensed matter: structural, mechanical & thermal