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

利用金刚石中NV色心的单自旋传感技术的新进展为纳米级甚至原子级的MRI（磁共振成像）开辟了前景。一个令人兴奋的和最近的发展是基于相干性的传感检测技术，探测NV自旋和周围的核自旋在环境中的量子纠缠。该项目将包括研究和开发技术，以加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，并将基本的原子尺度数据与测量的相干性联系起来。特别关注的是基于动态解耦的交流传感技术。方法将包括Floquet理论为基础的技术，并将这些方法扩展到涉及多个核的控制和多个NV的成像的场景，以期实现宽场成像。一个优先事项将是与实验合作者和现实的模拟以及更多的数学方法的互动。

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.