Abstract: Systems and methods of quantum sensing include obtaining information regarding a target signal in electronic spin states of quantum defects in an ensemble of quantum defects, mapping the information regarding the target signal from the electronic spin states of the quantum defects to corresponding nuclear spin states associated with the quantum defects, applying a light pulse to the ensemble of quantum defects to reset the electronic spin states of the quantum defects, and repeating a readout stage a plurality of times within a readout duration. The readout stage includes mapping the information regarding the target signal back from the nuclear spin states to the corresponding electronic spin states and applying a data acquisition readout pulse to optically measure the electronic spin states of the quantum defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quantum sensing include obtaining information regarding a target signal in electronic spin states of quantum defects in an ensemble of quantum defects, mapping the information regarding the target signal from the electronic spin states of the quantum defects to corresponding nuclear spin states associated with the quantum defects, applying a light pulse to the ensemble of quantum defects to reset the electronic spin states of the quantum defects, and repeating a readout stage a plurality of times within a readout duration. The readout stage includes mapping the information regarding the target signal back from the nuclear spin states to the corresponding electronic spin states and applying a data acquisition readout pulse to optically measure the electronic spin states of the quantum defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quantum sensing include depositing a sample volume onto an ensemble of quantum defects, hyperpolarizing spins in the sample volume, performing a sensing sequence, and reading out information regarding electronic spin states of the quantum defects in the ensemble of quantum defects, which sense the hyperpolarized spins in the sample volume.

Abstract: A system and method for performing vector magnetometry are described. A method can include illuminating diamond with a modulated optical signal and a modulated microwave (MW) signal. A first, bias magnetic field is also applied to the diamond. Light emitted from the diamond in response to the optical signal, the MW signal, and the first magnetic field is detected via a single detector at a fixed position relative to the diamond. A modulation of the detected light encodes information corresponding to a plurality of nitrogen vacancy (NV) axes of the diamond.

Abstract: A system and method for performing vector magnetometry are described. A method can include illuminating diamond with a modulated optical signal and a modulated microwave (MW) signal. A first, bias magnetic field is also applied to the diamond. Light emitted from the diamond in response to the optical signal, the MW signal, and the first magnetic field is detected via a single detector at a fixed position relative to the diamond. A modulation of the detected light encodes information corresponding to a plurality of nitrogen vacancy (NV) axes of the diamond.

Abstract: Methods and systems for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of samples having unresolved peaks are described. The methods and systems allow for the creation nuclear spin singlet states in nearly-equivalent spin pairs, for example, using continuous spin-locking with a nutation frequency matched to the coupling strength between spins.

Abstract: Long spin coherence lifetimes are realized for ensembles of electronic spin impurities in solid state spin systems, for example NV color centers in diamond, by using spin-control RF pulse sequences to provide dynamic decoupling of the ensembles of spin impurities from environmental sources of decoherence such as dipolar and hyperfine interactions with proximal spin and other paramagnetic impurities in diamond. In this way, the measurement sensitivity of the coherent evolution of ensembles of solid state spin impurities are increased. Using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence, the spin coherence lifetimes of NV ensembles can be extended to more than 2 ms in room temperature diamond, and sensitivity of magnetometry that uses NV ensembles can be increased.

Abstract: Absorption based detection of spin states of spin impurities within a solid-state spin system, such as NV centers in diamond, is implemented by measuring the absorption intensity of an optical signal applied to the spin impurities, i.e. change in intensity of the optical signal after the signal has been transmitted through the solid-state spin system. During optical excitation of the spin impurities, microwave pulses are applied to the sample at a frequency tuned to the ESR frequency. The relative populations of the spin states of the impurities, which provides information regarding variables of interest such as an external magnetic field or a quantum information protocol, is determined from the ratio of the absorption intensity of the optical signal when the microwave pulses are turned on, to the absorption intensity of the optical signal when the microwave pulses turned off.

Abstract: Multi-color CL images of nanoparticle samples may be generated, by irradiating with a scanning electron beam a nanoparticle sample that containing a plurality of spectrally distinct optical emitters configured to generate CL light at respective different color channels, then detecting the CL light from the nanoparticles to generate multi-color NP-CL images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, SE (secondary electron) images of the sample may be acquire, substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the CL images, so as to generate correlative NP-CL and SE images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be surface-functionalized so that the nanoparticles selectively bind only to particular structures of interest.

Abstract: Efficient fluorescence detection is achieved by optically guiding fluorescence light generated by color centers within a sample to photodetectors outside the sample. A fluorescence detection system may use a sample containing one or more fluorescence color centers that emit fluorescent light when irradiated with excitation light from an optical source. The sample has an index of refraction greater than its surrounding medium. The sample may include one or more output faces and further include at least two opposing faces configured to internally reflect the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent color centers, and to optically guide the emitted fluorescent light to the one or more output faces. The fluorescence detection system may include one or more optical detector configured to receive fluorescent light emitted through the one or more output faces, and a microwave source configured to manipulate the electronic spin of the fluorescent color centers.

Abstract: Long spin coherence lifetimes are realized for ensembles of electronic spin impurities in solid state spin systems, for example NV color centers in diamond, by using spin-control RF pulse sequences to provide dynamic decoupling of the ensembles of spin impurities from environmental sources of decoherence such as dipolar and hyperfine interactions with proximal spin and other paramagnetic impurities in diamond. In this way, the measurement sensitivity of the coherent evolution of ensembles of solid state spin impurities are increased. Using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence, the spin coherence lifetimes of NV ensembles can be extended to more than 2 ms in room temperature diamond, and sensitivity of magnetometry that uses NV ensembles can be increased.

Abstract: Absorption based detection of spin states of spin impurities within a solid-state spin system, such as NV centers in diamond, is implemented by measuring the absorption intensity of an optical signal applied to the spin impurities, i.e. change in intensity of the optical signal after the signal has been transmitted through the solid-state spin system. During optical excitation of the spin impurities, microwave pulses are applied to the sample at a frequency tuned to the ESR frequency. The relative populations of the spin states of the impurities, which provides information regarding variables of interest such as an external magnetic field or a quantum information protocol, is determined from the ratio of the absorption intensity of the optical signal when the microwave pulses are turned on, to the absorption intensity of the optical signal when the microwave pulses turned off.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for spectral decomposition of composite solid-state spin environments through quantum control of electronic spin impurities. ? sequence of spin-control modulation pulses are applied to the electronic spin impurities in the solid-state spin systems. The spectral content of the spin bath that surrounds the electronic spin impurities within the solid-state spin system is extracted, by measuring the coherent evolution and associated decoherence of the spin impurities as a function of number of the applied modulation pulses, and the time-spacing between the pulses. Using these methods, fundamental properties of the spin environment such as the correlation times and the coupling strengths for both electronic and nuclear spins in the spin bath, can be determined.

Abstract: Multi-color CL images of nanoparticle samples may be generated, by irradiating with a scanning electron beam a nanoparticle sample that containing a plurality of spectrally distinct optical emitters configured to generate CL light at respective different color channels, then detecting the CL light from the nanoparticles to generate multi-color NP-CL images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, SE (secondary electron) images of the sample may be acquire, substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the CL images, so as to generate correlative NP-CL and SE images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be surface-functionalized so that the nanoparticles selectively bind only to particular structures of interest.

Abstract: Efficient fluorescence detection is achieved by optically guiding fluorescence light generated by color centers within a sample to photodetectors outside the sample. A fluorescence detection system may use a sample containing one or more fluorescence color centers that emit fluorescent light when irradiated with excitation light from an optical source. The sample has an index of refraction greater than its surrounding medium. The sample may include one or more output faces and further include at least two opposing faces configured to internally reflect the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent color centers, and to optically guide the emitted fluorescent light to the one or more output faces. The fluorescence detection system may include one or more optical detector configured to receive fluorescent light emitted through the one or more output faces, and a microwave source configured to manipulate the electronic spin of the fluorescent color centers.

Abstract: A method and system for producing polarized .sup.129 Xe gas in an economical manner, allowing the polarized .sup.129 Xe gas to be used commercially in research and clinical applications. The production system of the present invention includes a holding tank for holding an unpolarized xenon gas/nitrogen gas mixture. The holding tank is in communication with a temperature controlled polarization chamber. A wide spectrum high power light source such as a diode laser array is in communication with the polarization chamber. The alkali metal vapor is optically pumped by the light source. The polarization chamber, which contains a given quantity of an alkali metal and its associated vapor, receives the gaseous mixture from the holding tank. The optically pumped alkali metal vapor atoms then collide with the xenon gas atoms, thus polarizing the xenon atoms. The entire gaseous mixture expands out of the polarization chamber into a device that separates the alkali metal vapor atoms from the polarized .sup.129 Xe atoms.