Wide-band nanoscale magnetic resonance spectroscopy using quantum relaxation of a single spin in diamond

Abstract

We demonstrate an all-optical approach of nanoscale magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy whereby quantum relaxation (T1) of a single probe spin in diamond is monitored during a precise static magnetic field sweep to construct a spectrum of the surrounding spin environment. The method is inherently noninvasive as it involves no driving fields, and instead relies on the natural resonance between the quantum probe and target spins. As a proof of concept, we measure the T1-MR spectra across a wide band [megahertz (MHz) to gigahertz (GHz)] of a small ensemble of N14 impurities surrounding a single probe spin, providing information on both electron spin transitions (in the GHz range) and nuclear s..