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：该计划寻求开发在生物兼容条件下局部超灵敏电场测量的技术，使用基于钻石中氮空位中心电子自旋动力学的量子计量学。虽然这种技术的广泛影响是预期的，但PI寻求一个特定的概念验证应用：对大型神经元网络中的电活动进行实时成像。该计划的目标是采用应用驱动设计的高纯度钻石纳米探头的可扩展生产技术，以及这种探头在具有超敏感电场检测的高速、超分辨率广域显微镜技术中的应用。研究活动包括钻石的材料加工、光学显微镜、光学检测的电子自旋共振测量，以及通过与神经科学家的广泛合作将这些技术转化为生物系统。智力优势：拟议的跨学科研究依赖于半导体纳米制造、固体自旋物理和神经科学技术的整合。PI试图首次证明，基于电子自旋的传感技术可以在活细胞中实现光电场成像，并且成像可以在亚波长的空间分辨率下完成。生命科学中改进的电场传感技术可以实现深刻的进步。概念验证应用程序实时成像大型神经元网络中的电活动将代表神经科学的一个主要新工具。此外，即将开发的技术还可能在许多领域产生新的研究能力，这些领域将受益于高精度的光学电场传感器。PI通过(I)与2D探测器阵列同时大规模并行读出100多个氮空位中心自旋，(Ii)在高纯度钻石探测器中使用氮空位中心增强电场检测，其电子自旋相干性比目前可用的纳米晶体长100倍，以及(Iii)动态自旋去耦合方案来延长自旋相干性时间，从而寻求这些进步。初步工作表明，基于自旋的探测器似乎对光学测量跨细胞网络的神经元电活动具有足够的灵敏度，时间分辨率为亚毫秒。更广泛的影响：该项目将吸引多个学生群体参与物理科学研究，包括1-2名高中生、1-2名本科生和1-2名麻省理工学院研究生。学生将与电气工程、物理、生物学和神经科学的研究小组进行密切互动。更广泛的影响包括：(1)将研究纳入关于量子信息和量子计量学的新课程，并通过网站向有兴趣实施部分或全部课程的其他机构传播课程和实验项目。(2)通过“工程和科学少数民族导论”进行有效的外联活动，在这项活动中，研究生和私营部门将聘用来自人数不足的学生群体的年轻研究人员；通过本科生研究机会方案吸引本科生的参与。(3)通过文献和会议传播研究和教育内容。