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

项目概述：该计划旨在开发生物相容条件下局部超敏感电场测量技术，使用基于金刚石氮空位中心电子自旋动力学的量子计量学。虽然这些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：在大型神经元网络中实时成像电活动。该计划的目标是应用驱动设计的高纯度金刚石纳米探针的可扩展生产技术，并将这种探针应用于具有超灵敏电场检测的高速，超分辨率广域显微镜技术。研究活动包括金刚石材料加工、光学显微镜、光学检测电子自旋共振测量，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，固体自旋物理学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学电场成像，并且该成像可以在亚波长空间分辨率下完成。改进的电场传感技术可以使生命科学取得深刻的进步。对大型神经元网络中的电活动进行实时成像的概念验证应用将成为神经科学的一个重要新工具。此外，这些有待开发的技术还可以在受益于高精度光学电场传感器的大范围领域带来新的研究能力。PI通过以下方法寻求这些进展：(i)使用二维探测器阵列同时大量并行读出100多个氮空位中心自旋，（ii）在高纯度金刚石探针中使用氮空位中心进行增强的电场检测，其电子自旋相干性比目前可用的纳米晶体长100倍，（iii）动态自旋解耦方案以延长自旋相干时间。最初的工作表明，基于自旋的探针似乎足够敏感，可以在亚毫秒的时间分辨率下对细胞网络中的神经元电活动进行光学测量。广泛影响：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名麻省理工学院的研究生。学生将与电气工程、物理学、生物学和神经科学等领域的研究小组密切互动。更广泛的影响包括：(1)整合量子信息和量子计量新课程的研究，并通过网站向其他有兴趣实施部分或全部课程的机构传播课程和实验项目。(2)有效的外联部分，通过少数民族工程和科学入门，研究生和PI将吸引来自代表性不足的学生群体的年轻研究人员；通过本科生研究机会计划的本科生参与。(3)通过文献和会议传播研究和教育内容。

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.