Direct 3D Imaging of Molecular Structure: Quantum Sensing and Control

0097544 Garbini科学界最古老和最持久的梦想之一是直接观察分子结构无损，原位，在三维空间，与埃级分辨率。 这种成像技术将立即解决纳米工程、材料科学、分子生物学和医学的迫切需求。 这项研究的目的是创造这样一种技术，即磁共振力显微镜MRFM，它是在1991年由提出者设想的，专门作为3D分子成像的一种手段。 MRFM的核心概念是将三维磁共振成像与埃级探针显微镜相结合。 MRFM在1992年与Dan Rugar的IBM团队合作首次进行了实验演示。 随后，MRFM已经发展成为一个世界性的传感和成像研究项目，美国国家科学基金会（NSF）的这一建议的具体目标是：（1）证明三维MRFM成像的纳米尺度分辨率;（2）实现对MRFM环境中电子和质子自旋弛豫的可靠的、实验验证的理解;（3）将现有的最优控制和估计的设计原理推广到适合于单自旋成像的量子环境。（1）通过力、参数和多路成像实验，验证和校准提议者新完成的3D MRFM扫描仪;（2）设计和操作下一代自适应数字控制器，包括最佳控制、估计和诊断算法;以及（3）在各种目标样品中测量电子和质子自旋弛豫。建议打开一个新的成像窗口，进入基本上未被发现的3D世界，分子结构将彻底改变纳米工程、材料科学、生物学、医学和工程教育领域。

0097544GarbiniOne of the oldest and most enduring dreams of the scientific communityis to directly observe molecular structure nondestructively, in situ, inthree dimensions, with Angstrom-scale resolution. Such an imagingtechnology would immediately address urgent needs in nanoscaleengineering, materials science, molecular biology, and medicine. Theobjective of the proposed research is to create such a technology.The proposed method is magnetic resonance force microscopy MRFM, whichwas conceived in 1991, by the proposers specifically as a means for 3Dmolecular imaging. The central concept of MRFM is to combinethree-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging with angstrom-scale probemicroscopy. MRFM was first experimentally demonstrated in 1992 incollaboration with Dan Rugar's IBM group. Subsequently, MRFM hasdeveloped into a worldwide sensing and imaging research effort.The specific aims of this NSF proposal are to: (1) demonstratenanoscale resolution in 3D MRFM imaging; (2) achieve a reliable,experimentally validated understanding of electron and proton spinrelaxation in the MRFM environment; and (3) extend present designprinciples for optimal control and estimation to the quantum environmentappropriate to single spin imaging.The proposed means are to: (1) validate and calibrate the proposers'newly completed 3D MRFM scanner, via force, parametric, and multipleximaging experiments; (2) design and operate a next-generation adaptivedigital controller, incorporating optimal control, estimation, anddiagnostic algorithms; and (3) survey electron and proton spinrelaxation in a variety of target samples.The proposed opening of a new imaging window onto the largely unobservedworld of 3D molecular structure will revolutionize the fields ofnanoscale engineering, materials science, biology, medicine, andengineering education.