NMR Signal Detection Using Optical Quantum Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensing devices struggle to accurately detect low-level NMR signals due to noise interference from amplifier circuits, making it difficult to achieve high resolution.

Innovation Solution

A nuclear magnetic resonance sensing device that utilizes a mixer part for intermediate frequency demodulation, a low-pass filter to attenuate high-frequency components, and an optical quantum sensor part to convert light signals generated by a sensing member into electrical signals, bypassing traditional amplifier circuits to enhance signal detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If an amplifier circuit is used to amplify the observation signal, then the signal level is increased, but noise from the amplifier circuit is superposed on the signal, making low-level NMR signals undetectable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal levelVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional electrical amplifier circuit with an optical quantum sensing system. The observation signal is converted to a magnetic field, then to light via quantum sensing (using systems like NV centers in diamond), and finally detected by photodetectors. This optical quantum measurement pathway eliminates the need for electrical amplification, thereby avoiding amplifier noise while maintaining signal detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate conversion steps between the observation signal and final detection: the electrical observation signal is first converted to a magnetic field, then to optical signals via quantum sensing. These intermediary transformations allow the signal to be measured without direct electrical amplification, thus avoiding the introduction of amplifier noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional electrical amplification is used, then signal detection is possible, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise floor limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection capabilityVSAvoidresolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical amplification with optical quantum sensing to achieve high-precision measurement. By converting the observation signal to optical domain through quantum sensing processes, the system avoids the noise floor inherent in electrical amplifiers, thereby enabling detection of low-level NMR signals with high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If amplifier circuits are eliminated, then noise interference is reduced, but signal amplification capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise interferenceVSAvoidsignal amplification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical amplification with optical quantum sensing and detection. The quantum sensing process converts the weak magnetic field signal into optical signals that can be detected by photodetectors with high sensitivity, providing signal amplification capability through the quantum measurement process rather than electrical amplification, thus avoiding noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The device enables accurate detection of low-level NMR signals with high resolution by eliminating noise interference, allowing for precise molecular structure analysis and imaging.

Implementation Method 1

applies a high frequency magnetic field based on an RF signal having a frequency close to a precession frequency with a high frequency coil 311 with respect to a measuring object 301; detects the resonated nuclear magnetization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNuclear magnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

an optical quantum sensor part that generates light corresponding to the magnetic field or the electric field by a sensing member and converts the light into an electrical signal as a sensor signal by a photoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12625205B2Nuclear magnetic resonance sensing device and nuclear magnetic resonance sensing method

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 SUMIDA CORP

AI summary

A nuclear magnetic resonance sensor applies a high frequency magnetic field based on an RF signal to a target and generates an observation signal with a frequency shifted from that of the RF signal by a frequency of an NMR signal. A mixer generates an IF demodulation signal including the NMR signal. A low-pass filter passes a low frequency component of the IF demodulation signal. In a digitizing device, a physical field generator generates a magnetic field corresponding to the IF demodulation signal passed through the low-pass filter, an optical quantum sensor generates light corresponding to the magnetic field by a sensing member and converts the light into a sensor signal by a photoelectric element, and an analog/digital converter digitizes the sensor signal. The optical quantum sensor performs a quantum operation on the sensing member and causes the sensing member to generate the light corresponding to the magnetic field.