Optically Active Spins: From Magnetic Resonance Microscopy to Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance in Proteins and Nanotubes

Optically Active Spins: From Magnetic Resonance Microscopy to Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance in Proteins and Nanotubes

Optically addressable spins have attracted significant interest due to their potential in quantum technologies. In the first part of this talk, I will present our recent advances using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond chips for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NV-doped diamond platforms enable the conversion of local NMR signals into optical signals, which can be captured across a wide field using a camera. This novel approach eliminates the need for traditional k-space sampling and magnetic field gradients for spatial encoding, paving the way for real-space magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). I will also discuss the current limitations of this technique and outline prospects for future developments.

In the second part, I will highlight our latest research on optically addressable spin qubits in two emerging systems: (i) boron nitride nanotubes and (ii) radical pairs in proteins such as cryptochrome. I will discuss the differences compared to the established NV-center and discuss future potential applications. I will discuss how these systems differ from the established NV center and their