NANOSCALE QUANTUM SENSING AND IMAGING OF EMERGENT SPIN BEHAVIOR IN AN ANTIFERROMAGNETIC INSULATOR
Abstract
The nitrogen vacancy (NV) center, an optically-active atomic defect in diamond, has been demonstrated to be a transformative tool in exploring the emergent magnetic- and electric features of quantum materials with unprecedented field sensitivity and nanoscale spatial resolution. Many of these advantages derive from its quantum-mechanical nature endowed by long quantum coherence times, controllable entanglement, and high fidelity of operations, which enable opportunities for outperforming its classical counterparts. Taking advantage of those strengths, the PI proposes to introduce NV single spin based quantum sensing and imaging techniques to explore the local spin transport and dynamic behavior of antiferromagnetically coupled materials which harbor a range of exotic, unintuitive, and highly interesting spin-related properties. Examples include topologically protected magnetic textures, energy-dissipationless spin-superfluidity, fractional spin excitations, giant magnetoresistance and many more. We will investigate emergent antiferromagnetic spin behaviors from a unique quantum viewpoint and shed light on their underlying mechanisms at nanoscale. An important goal of this proposed work will be to ascertain the advantage of NV-based quantum coherent magnetic sensing techniques when applied to antiferromagnetic insulators, which are challenging to access by conventional magnetometry methods. The proposed work addresses timely the current challenges facing antiferromagnetic spintronic research and will enable new opportunities in designing next-generation advanced magnetic materials for transformative information technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010319
Entities
People
- Chunhui Du
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, San Diego