Building A Do-It-Yourself Quantum Scanning Microscope
By Aedan Gardill, Ph.D., Mad City Labs Inc.
Commercial quantum scanning microscopes generally are available at a price point more appropriate for multi-user facilities, but a do-it-yourself build is a viable option for users who prefer to modify the experiment setup or do not wish to reserve time on a shared instrument (if they even have access to one). Creating such a build requires an understanding of the instrument’s components and operating principles.
Also called a scanning nitrogen vacancy (NV) magnetometer, these instruments are useful across numerous applications, including, but not limited to:
- Characterizing materials (e.g., antiferromagnetic order)
- Imaging currents in integrated circuits
- Characterizing quantum devices
- Studying 2D materials
- Investigating biological materials
- Nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
A quantum scanning microscope typically comprises optics, a microwave source, an NV center-impregnated diamond tip for the atomic force microscope, and timing hardware. Additionally, these instruments require a vibration-free environment, usually provided by a combination of micro- and nanopositioners, as well as software to coordinate all components of the experiment or measurement being carried out.
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