Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
Proposed spin amplification for magnetic sensors employing crystal defects
Marcus Schaffry1, Erik M Gauger, John J L Morton
1Department of Materials, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Recently there have been several theoretical and experimental studies of the prospects for magnetic field sensors based on crystal defects, especially nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. Such systems could potentially be incorporated into an atomic force microscopy-like apparatus in order to map the magnetic properties of a surface at the single spin level. In this Letter we propose an augmented sensor consisting of an NV center for readout and an "amplifier" spin system that directly senses the local magnetic field. Our calculations show that this hybrid structure has the potential to detect magnetic moments with a sensitivity and spatial resolution far beyond that of a simple NV center, and indeed this may be the physical limit for sensors of this class.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must have a...
Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
NMR Spectrometers: Resolution and Error Correction
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects

