Quantum Sensing for Spatial Spin Noise Mapping via Nitrogen-Vacancy Magnetic Quenching in Diamond
Abstract
Detecting and mapping spin noise can reveal spatial variations in surface defect states, catalytic residues, free radicals, and spintronic materials. However, bulk measurements average over spatial heterogeneity, while scanning-probe maps require sequential rastering. Here, we demonstrate a microwave-free magnetic quenching (MQ) method for wide-field spin-noise mapping using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. The protocol combines continuous LED illumination with a low-frequency, amplitude-modulated magnetic field, avoiding resonant microwave delivery or pulsed optical hardware. Field-induced spin-state mixing reduces NV photoluminescence, providing the primary contrast mechanism. We examine the response as a function of optical power and magnetic modulation amplitude, interpreting the results using a spin-state mixing model. The method is validated with aqueous gadobutrol concentration series, showing trends consistent with optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements. We map spin-noise variations across boron nitride and single-walled carbon nanotube samples with differing defect and metallic catalyst contributions, supported by electron microscopy and spectroscopy. Notably, MQ detects a spin-noise response in boron nitride nanotubes that is silent in bulk EPR spectroscopy. This approach provides a practical framework for spatially resolved spin-noise sensing across quantum technologies and advanced functional materials.
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BibTeX
@misc{tyler2026quantum,
title = {{Quantum Sensing for Spatial Spin Noise Mapping via Nitrogen-Vacancy Magnetic Quenching in Diamond}},
author = {Ashley J. Tyler and Thomas D. Bateman-Price and Bradley T. Flinn and William J. Cull and Tom J. P. Irons and Andrei N. Khlobystov and Melissa L. Mather},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.07684},
eprint = {2609.07684},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.07684},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Quantum Sensing for Spatial Spin Noise Mapping via Nitrogen-Vacancy Magnetic Quenching in Diamond
AU - Ashley J. Tyler
AU - Thomas D. Bateman-Price
AU - Bradley T. Flinn
AU - William J. Cull
AU - Tom J. P. Irons
AU - Andrei N. Khlobystov
AU - Melissa L. Mather
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/07
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.07684
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.07684
AB - Detecting and mapping spin noise can reveal spatial variations in surface defect states, catalytic residues, free radicals, and spintronic materials. However, bulk measurements average over spatial heterogeneity, while scanning-probe maps require sequential rastering. Here, we demonstrate a microwave-free magnetic quenching (MQ) method for wide-field spin-noise mapping using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. The protocol combines continuous LED illumination with a low-frequency, amplitude-modulated magnetic field, avoiding resonant microwave delivery or pulsed optical hardware. Field-induced spin-state mixing reduces NV photoluminescence, providing the primary contrast mechanism. We examine the response as a function of optical power and magnetic modulation amplitude, interpreting the results using a spin-state mixing model. The method is validated with aqueous gadobutrol concentration series, showing trends consistent with optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements. We map spin-noise variations across boron nitride and single-walled carbon nanotube samples with differing defect and metallic catalyst contributions, supported by electron microscopy and spectroscopy. Notably, MQ detects a spin-noise response in boron nitride nanotubes that is silent in bulk EPR spectroscopy. This approach provides a practical framework for spatially resolved spin-noise sensing across quantum technologies and advanced functional materials.
ER -