Mixed-signal data acquisition system for optically detected magnetic resonance of solid-state spins
At a Glance
Section titled “At a Glance”| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2021-11-01 |
| Journal | Review of Scientific Instruments |
| Authors | Feifei Zhou, Shupei Song, Yuxuan Deng, Ting Zhang, Bing Chen |
| Institutions | Hefei University of Technology |
| Citations | 10 |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
Executive Summary
Section titled “Executive Summary”- Core Value Proposition: A purpose-built, mixed-signal Data Acquisition (DAQ) system was developed using a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architecture to meet the high-speed, synchronized requirements of Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) experiments on solid-state spins (Nitrogen-Vacancy, NV, centers).
- High-Speed Synchronization: The system achieves synchronized acquisition and processing of both analog and digital signals at a high sampling rate of up to 125 MSPS (Mega Samples Per Second).
- Hardware Foundation: The architecture is centered on a Xilinx Zynq XC7Z010 FPGA, supported by 14-bit dual Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC).
- Embedded Signal Generation (MSG): An integrated Multiplex Signal Generator (MSG) provides variable-width digital pulses with 8 ns time resolution and sine-type RF signals with an effective bandwidth approaching 50 MHz.
- Advanced Functionality: The DAQ system successfully demonstrated general-purpose ODMR and Rabi oscillation experiments, and performed advanced Lock-in detection on single NV centers, crucial for combating 1/f noise in quantum metrology.
- Extensibility and Cost: Utilizing an FPGA framework, the system is re-configurable, extensible, and offers a low-cost alternative to commercial high-speed DAQ solutions (e.g., NI or Spectrum).
Technical Specifications
Section titled “Technical Specifications”| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Sampling Rate | 125 | MSPS | ADC/DAC operation speed |
| ADC Resolution | 14 | bits | Dual ADC (LTC2145CUP-14) |
| Analog Input Channels (AI) | 2 | Channels | Synchronized Acquisition and Processing (SAP) |
| Analog Output Channels (AO) | 2 | Channels | Multiplex Signal Generator (MSG) |
| Digital Channels | 16 | Channels | Optional Digital Inputs/Outputs |
| Analog Voltage Range (Input) | -1 to +1 | V | After binary complement encoding |
| MSG RF Bandwidth (Actual) | DC to ~50 | MHz | -3 dB point (49.57 MHz) |
| MSG RF Output Power (Max) | 10 | dBm | Into 50 Ω load (1.72 Vpp) |
| MSG PWM Time Resolution | 8 | ns | Based on internal clock rate |
| Data Packet Size | 128 | bits | Encoded data transmission |
| External Memory (DDR3) | 512 | MB | Storage via Direct Memory Access (DMA) |
| Bias Noise Test Range | 30 to 60 | °C | Environmental temperature testing |
| Communication Protocol | UDP | Protocol | High-Speed Communication (HSC) via Gigabit Ethernet |
Key Methodologies
Section titled “Key Methodologies”- FPGA Core Implementation: The system is built around a Xilinx Zynq XC7Z010 FPGA, leveraging the Programmable Logic (PL) for high-speed data handling and the Processing System (PS) (ARM Cortex A9) for control and communication tasks.
- Synchronized Acquisition and Processing (SAP): The SAP module handles simultaneous sampling of two analog inputs (AI) and counting of digital inputs (DI). Acquisition is triggered by internal or external pulses, defining a delay time (D) and a detection window duration (W).
- Data Encoding and Calibration: Raw 14-bit ADC data is converted using a binary complement format (mapping 0x0000 to 0x3FFF into -8192 to +8191) to facilitate computer processing. Hardware-based bias noise correction is implemented, including compensation for temperature-dependent noise drift (characterized between 30 °C and 60 °C).
- Signal Generation (MSG): The MSG module provides two hybrid channels capable of generating:
- Sine-type RF signals (0 to 62.5 MHz theoretical bandwidth) using Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) for microwave frequency modulation (FM).
- PWM-based digital pulses with 8 ns time resolution for coarse synchronization.
- Data Transfer and Control: Data transmission between the PL and PS utilizes DMA. Communication between the DAQ system and the host computer (running Python software) is established via Gigabit Ethernet using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
- Experimental Validation: The system was validated on a purpose-built ODMR spectrometer using NV centers in diamond, demonstrating:
- Continuous Wave ODMR (cw-ODMR) and Rabi oscillation on NV ensembles.
- Advanced Lock-in detection on a single NV center, utilizing the MSG to FM-modulate the microwave frequency at 0.1 Hz and synchronously acquiring the fluorescence signal.
Commercial Applications
Section titled “Commercial Applications”- Quantum Metrology and Sensing: Direct application in high-sensitivity magnetic field, electric field, and temperature sensing based on solid-state spins (e.g., NV centers).
- Quantum Information Science: Essential control and readout hardware for quantum computation and quantum simulation platforms utilizing solid-state spin systems.
- High-Speed Scientific Instrumentation: General-purpose, low-cost DAQ solution for experiments requiring synchronized mixed-signal acquisition at rates up to 125 MSPS, such as atomic physics or nuclear science.
- Custom Lock-in Amplification (LIA): The system can be configured to function as a high-performance LIA, crucial for improving signal-to-noise ratios by demodulating signals in phase with a reference modulation.
- RF and Pulse Control Systems: Integration of the MSG module allows the system to serve as a compact controller for generating precise RF signals (up to ~50 MHz) and high-resolution digital pulses for experimental timing.
View Original Abstract
We report a mixed-signal data acquisition (DAQ) system for optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of solid-state spins. This system is designed and implemented based on a field-programmable-gate-array chip assisted with high-speed peripherals. The ODMR experiments often require high-speed mixed-signal data acquisition and processing for general and specific tasks. To this end, we realized a mixed-signal DAQ system that can acquire both analog and digital signals with precise hardware synchronization. The system consisting of four analog channels (two inputs and two outputs) and 16 optional digital channels works at up to 125 MHz clock rate. With this system, we performed general-purpose ODMR and advanced lock-in detection experiments of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, and the reported DAQ system shows excellent performance in both single and ensemble spin cases. This work provides a uniform DAQ solution for the NV center quantum control system and could be easily extended to other spin-based systems.
Tech Support
Section titled “Tech Support”Original Source
Section titled “Original Source”References
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