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

[00:97544 . garbinio]科学界最古老、最持久的梦想之一就是以埃级分辨率直接、无损地、原位、三维地观察分子结构。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。拟议研究的目的是创造这样一种技术。提出的方法是磁共振力显微镜MRFM，这是1991年提出的，由提案人专门作为3d分子成像的手段。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小组合作首次被实验证明。随后，MRFM已发展成为一项全球性的传感和成像研究工作。该NSF提案的具体目标是：(1)展示3D磁共振调频成像的纳米级分辨率；(2)对MRFM环境中电子和质子的自旋弛豫有了可靠的、经过实验验证的理解；(3)将现有的最优控制和估计设计原理扩展到适合于单自旋成像的量子环境。提出的方法是：(1)通过力、参数和多重成像实验验证和校准提出者新完成的3D MRFM扫描仪；(2)设计和操作下一代自适应数字控制器，结合最优控制、估计和诊断算法；(3)考察各种靶样品中电子和质子的自旋弛豫。这项提议为未被观察到的3D分子结构世界打开了一扇新的成像窗口，将彻底改变纳米工程、材料科学、生物学、医学和工程教育等领域。

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.