Towards Quantum MRI: the theory of quantum sensing with single spins

利用金刚石的NV色心进行单自旋传感的新进展，开辟了在纳米尺度甚至原子尺度上进行核磁共振成像的前景。一项令人兴奋的最新发展是基于相干的传感探测技术，该技术可以探测环境中NV自旋与周围核自旋之间的量子纠缠。该项目将包括研究和开发技术，以增强控制核自旋作为传感器量子态的存储寄存器，以及开发有效的成像协议，并将潜在的原子尺度数据与测量的相干性联系起来。特别的重点将是基于动态解耦的交流传感技术。方法将包括基于floquet理论的技术，并将这些方法扩展到涉及多核控制和多NVs成像的场景，以期实现宽视场成像。优先考虑的是与实验合作者的互动和现实模拟，以及更多的数学方法。

New developments in single-spin sensing using NV colour centers in diamond open up the prospect of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on the nanoscale or even atomic scale. An exciting and recent development are coherence based sensing detection techniques that probe the quantum entanglement between the NV spin and surrounding nuclear spins in the environment. The project would include investigation and development of techniques to enhance the control nuclear spins as memory registers for the quantum state of the sensor as well as the development of efficient protocols for imaging and relating the underlying atomic scale data to the measured coherence . The particular focus will be on dynamical-decoupling based AC-sensing techniques. Methods will include Floquet-theory based techniques and extending these methods to scenarios involving control of multiple nuclei and imaging with multiple NVs witha view towards wide-field imaging. A priority would be on interaction with experimental collaborators and realistic simulations as well as more mathematical approaches.