Optical widefield nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy
At a Glance
Section titled āAt a Glanceā| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2025-02-03 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Authors | Karl D. Briegel, Nick R. von Grafenstein, Julia C. Draeger, Peter BlĆ¼mler, Robin D. Allert |
| Institutions | Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, Technical University of Munich |
| Citations | 5 |
Abstract
Section titled āAbstractāAbstract Microscopy enables detailed visualization and understanding of minute structures or processes. While cameras have significantly advanced optical, infrared, and electron microscopy, imaging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals on a camera has remained elusive. Here, we employ nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond as a quantum sensor, which converts NMR signals into optical signals that are subsequently captured by a high-speed camera. Unlike traditional magnetic resonance imaging, our method records the NMR signal over a wide field of view in real space. We demonstrate that our optical widefield NMR microscopy can image NMR signals in microfluidic structures with a ~10 Ī¼m resolution across a ~235 Ć 150 Ī¼m 2 area. Crucially, each camera pixel records an NMR spectrum providing multicomponent information about the signalās amplitude, phase, local magnetic field strengths, and gradients. The fusion of optical microscopy and NMR techniques enables multifaceted imaging applications in the physical and life sciences.