Research Projects

This project aims to synergise quantum metrology/sensing, hyperpolarisation, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. Nitrogen-vacancy, NV, centres in diamonds are excellent candidates for quantum sensing. They are stable, functional at ambient conditions, and can be manipulated coherently with microwaves. The NV centres can be imparted with a high polarisation, in a so-called hyperpolarised state, by virtue of the coupling of optical irradiation and electron spin nature of the NV states, thereby making them good candidates for polarisation transfer agents. Further, their coupling to the surrounding nuclear spins can also be probed with radiofrequency pulses. There will be two main aspects in this research proposal. First, the methods part, and second, the applications. The methods part will aim to introduce pulse methods, mainly in the microwave regime, to increase the coherence times of the spin states in the NV centres. Whilst, here, the methods will concentrate on decoupling of the spin interactions for the long lifetimes of the spin states, we will also explore extension of NV centres as efficient nano-scale sensors at zero-ultralow-field NMR applications. On the applications side, PIs will concentrate on two aspects, namely, investigation of molecular dynamics at nanoscales and hyperpolarisation (transferring polarisation from NV centres) of 1H and other nuclear spins in both solid- and solution-state samples. The NV centres will be used as dynamic nuclear polarisation agents, substitute for conventional spin radicals, and regularise the polarisation enhancement in the other NMR active nuclei in diamonds. In short, the approach here, may be considered as a prominent step ahead for the optically detected magnetic resonance, ODMR, methods.