EAGER: Super-Resolution Microscopy and Quantum Assisted Sensing Using Multifunctional Diamond Nanoprobes

EAGER：使用多功能金刚石纳米探针的超分辨率显微镜和量子辅助传感

• 批准号: 1344005
• 负责人: Dirk Englund
• 金额: $ 15.82万
• 依托单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1344005&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Super; Resolution; Microscopy; Quantum

Project Overview: The proposed program seeks to develop techniques for local ultra-sensitive electric field measurements in biologically compatible conditions, using quantum metrology based on electron spin dynamics in the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond. While broad impact of such techniques is anticipated, the PI seeks one specific proof-of-concept application: real-time imaging of the electrical activity in large networks of neurons. The program targets scalable production techniques of high-purity diamond nanoprobes with application-driven design, and the application of such probes for high-speed, super-resolution wide-area microscopy technique with ultra-sensitive electric field detection. Research activities include material processing of diamond, optical microscopy, optically detected electron spin resonance measurements, and translation of such techniques to biological systems through extensive collaborations with neuroscientists.Intellectual Merit: The proposed interdisciplinary research relies on the integration of techniques from semiconductor nanofabrication, spin physics in solids, and neuroscience. The PI seeks to show, for the first time, that electron spin-based sensing techniques could enable optical electric field imaging in living cells, and that imaging could be accomplished with a sub-wavelength spatial resolution. Improved electric field sensing technologies in the life sciences could enable profound advances. The proof-of-concept application real-time imaging of the electrical activity in large networks of neurons would represent a major new tool for neuroscience. Moreover, the techniques to be developed could also lead to new research capabilities in a large range of fields that benefit from high-precision optical electric field sensors. The PI seeks these advances through (i) massively parallel readout of more than 100 nitrogen vacancy center spins simultaneously with a 2D detector array, (ii) enhanced electric field detection using nitrogen vacancy centers in high-purity diamond probes with 100 × longer electron spin coherence than in currently available nanocrystals, and (iii) dynamic spin decoupling schemes to extend the spin coherence time. Initial work indicates that the spin-based probes appear to be sufficiently sensitive for optical measurements of neuronal electrical activity across networks of cells with sub-millisecond temporal resolution.Broader Impact:The project will engage multiple student populations in physical sciences research, including 1-2 high school students, 1-2 undergraduate students, and 1-2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate students. Students will have close interaction with research groups spanning electrical engineering, physics, biology, and neuroscience. Broader impact includes: (1) Integration of the research in a new course on quantum information and quantum metrology, and the dissemination of course and experimental projects through a website to other institutions interested in implementing some or all of the curriculum. (2) Effective outreach components through the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science, in which graduate students and the PI will engage young researchers from underrepresented student populations; engagement of undergraduates through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. (3) Dissemination of the research and educational components through the literature and conferences.

项目概述：拟议的计划旨在使用基于钻石氮空位中心的电子自旋动力学的量子计量学，以生物学兼容条件的局部超敏感电场测量技术开发技术。尽管预计此类技术的广泛影响，但PI寻求一种特定的概念证明应用：大型神经元网络中电活动的实时成像。该计划针对具有应用驱动设计的高纯度钻石纳米探针的可扩展生产技术，以及将这些问题应用于高速，超分辨率的宽面积显微镜技术，具有超敏感的电场检测。 Research activities include material processing of diamond, optical microscopy, optically detected electron spin resonance measurements, and translation of such technologies to biologic systems through extensive collaborations with neuroscientists.Intellectual Merit: The proposed interdisciplinary research relies on the integration of techniques from semiconductor nanofabrication, spin physics in solids, and neuroscience. PI试图首次展示基于电子自旋的灵敏度技术可以在活细胞中进行光学电场成像，并且该成像可以通过下波长的空间分辨率来完成。改善生命科学中的电场灵敏度技术可以实现深刻的进步。大型神经元网络中电活动的概念验证应用程序实时成像将代表神经科学的主要新工具。此外，要开发的技术还可能导致在受益于高精度光学电场传感器的大量领域中的新研究能力。 PI通过（i）（i）通过2D检测器阵列更简单地对100多个氮空位中心旋转进行了大规模平行读数，（ii）使用氮气空位中心在高纯度钻石问题中使用氮气空位中心增强电场检测，该问题与当前可用的nanocrystals和（III III）的旋转时间相比，具有更长的电子旋转的较长的电子旋转相干性。最初的工作表明，基于自旋的探针似乎对具有子毫秒临时分辨率的细胞网络的神经元电动活动的光学测量非常敏感。Broader的影响：该项目将吸引多个学生人群在体育科学研究中，包括1-2名高中生，1-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2.学生将与涵盖电气工程，物理，生物学和神经科学的研究小组有密切的互动。更广泛的影响包括：（1）在有关量子信息和量子计量学的新课程中进行研究的整合，以及通过网站通过网站传播课程和实验项目，向有兴趣实施某些或全部课程的其他机构。 （2）通过工程和科学少数派的有效宣传组成部分，研究生和PI将吸引来自代表性不足的学生人群的年轻研究人员；通过本科研究机会计划的本科生的参与。 （3）通过文献和会议传播研究和教育组成部分。