Pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance at Millikelvin Temperatures

电子顺磁共振波谱在材料科学和生物应用方面的技术改进是1601优先计划的核心。这一目标基于两个主要的创新分支：第一，通过采用超灵敏微波分析技术以及优化的低损耗和小型化微波检测电路来提高检测灵敏度。其次，由于集成亚波长微波电路的成本增加了微波磁场的不均匀性，因此通过优化脉冲序列的开发改进了对自旋综的控制。利用这些新发展可以获得更高的检测灵敏度，更高的信噪比对应于更短的采集时间，以及研究更小样本量的能力，这反过来将允许高度空间分辨率的研究。本课题旨在改进微波信号技术。为此，我们将促进最初为量子信息应用而开发的超灵敏微波光谱技术，该技术能够在单光子水平上检测信号幅度。我们将把这些方法转移到EPR光谱的超灵敏微波分析工具中。在这种情况下，低温装置将提供一个关键的开发平台，因为它们提供了一个具有良好特征和理解的噪声环境的实验环境，旨在抑制微波频段的热噪声。此外，这种探测灵敏度允许进行单次EPR实验，其中可以原位研究激发脉冲和自旋系综的响应。结合所采用的超导微波谐振器的微波磁场不均匀性、低可用激发功率、长自旋寿命和退相干时间，这些系统为最优控制脉冲提供了新的平台。因此，我们期望这种极低噪声的环境将成为EPR超灵敏微波探测技术发展的理想平台。

The technological improvement of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy for material science and biological applications is at the heart of the Priority Program 1601. This objective is based on two main innovation branches: First, the improvement of the detection sensitivity by employing ultra-sensitive microwave analysis techniques as well as optimized low-loss and downsized microwave detection circuits. Second, an improved control over the spin ensembles by the development of optimized pulse sequences, because integrated sub-wavelength microwave circuits come with the cost of an increased microwave magnetic field inhomogeneity. Harnessing these new developments gives access to increased detection sensitivity, higher signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to shorter acquisition times, and the ability to investigate smaller sample volumes, which in turn will allow for highly spatially resolved studies.The current project aims at the improvement of the microwave signal techniques. To this end, we will facilitate the ultra-sensitive microwave spectroscopy techniques originally developed for quantum information applications, which are capable to detect signal amplitudes on the single photon level. We will transfer these approaches to ultra-sensitive microwave analysis tools for EPR spectroscopy. In this context, low-temperature setups will provide a key development platform, as they offer an experimental environment with a well-characterized and understood noise environment, designed to suppress thermal noise in the microwave frequency band. Furthermore, this detection sensitivity allows for performing single-shot EPR experiments, where the excitation pulse and the resulting response of the spin ensemble can be studied in-situ. Combined with the microwave magnetic field inhomogeneity of the employed superconducing microwave resonators, the low available excitation powers, and the long spin life and decoherence times, these systems provide a new playground for optimal control pulses.Thus, we expect that this extremely low-noise environment will be the ideal platform for the development of ultra-sensitive microwave detection techniques for EPR.