Wide-field diamond magnetic imaging for high-throughput particle analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for magnetic particle analysis lack the capability for high-throughput, sensitive measurement of individual magnetic properties, failing to provide comprehensive quality control and analysis needed for diverse applications of magnetic particles.
Innovation Solution
Wide-field diamond magnetic imaging using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in a diamond sensor, which involves applying a magnetic bias field, illuminating NV centers with green light, and applying microwave fields to acquire fluorescence images, allowing for the determination of magnetic susceptibility, remanent magnetization, and coercivity of individual magnetic particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ensemble measurements such as vibrating sample magnetometry are used, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision of single-particle properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the measurement approach by using an array of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to perform parallel single-particle measurements. Instead of measuring particles one at a time or averaging ensembles, the patent divides the sensing area into multiple NV center locations that can simultaneously detect magnetic fields from multiple particles, achieving both high throughput and single-particle resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (such as physical manipulation in scanning magnetometry) with an optical detection system based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. This optical system uses photoluminescence imaging to detect magnetic fields, enabling non-contact, high-speed measurements that maintain single-particle sensitivity while achieving ensemble-level throughput.
2Measurement precision
If single-particle measurement technologies such as scanning magnetometry are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of single-particle sensitivity with multi-particle throughput by combining an array of nitrogen-vacancy centers into a single integrated sensing platform. Multiple NV centers are embedded in a diamond substrate and imaged simultaneously using photoluminescence microscopy, allowing parallel measurement of many particles while maintaining the precision of single-particle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional or sequential measurement approaches to a two-dimensional array of NV centers that can simultaneously probe multiple particles across a spatial plane. This dimensional expansion enables parallel processing of particle data, dramatically increasing throughput while preserving single-particle measurement capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional magnetic particle analysis tools are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different magnetic properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond serves as a universal sensor that can detect various magnetic properties including magnetic moment, susceptibility, anisotropy, and relaxation dynamics. The same NV center array system can measure different particle types (superparamagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic) and different property types without requiring fundamental changes to the measurement platform, achieving multi-functionality through the inherent versatility of NV center magnetometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-precision, high-throughput analysis of thousands of magnetic particles simultaneously, providing detailed quantitative measurements of magnetic properties, including remanent magnetization and coercivity, suitable for industrial quality control and diverse applications.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in the sensing surface with green light
Implementation Method 2
acquire an image of NV center fluorescence emitted from the sensing surface
Implementation Method 3
applying a microwave field to the sensing surface with frequency near one of the NV center electronic spin resonance (ESR) transitions
Implementation Method 4
applying a magnetic bias field on the plurality of magnetic particles positioned on the sensing surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses methods and apparatus for measuring the arbitrary magnetic response of many individual magnetic particles at once, using a plurality of magnetic images of the magnetic particles acquired over a range of magnetic conditions.