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Detection and Polarization of Nuclear and Electron Spins using Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers

Abstract

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is one of the most powerful spectroscopic tools for obtaining detailed information about molecular structure. It has also served as a remarkable tool for exploring interesting quantum phenomena in large spin ensembles. In this dissertation, we present investigations of the optically detected magnetic resonance of the NV- center, a point defect in diamond that has gained notoriety in the magnetic resonance community due to its interesting and useful spin properties. In the past few years, the NV- center has been used as a gyroscope, a magnetic sensor for investigating thin superconducting films and most recently, as a magnetometer for nanoscale magnetic resonance measurements. In this work, we explore the optically detected magnetic resonance of the NV- center in a number of different contexts. In chapter 5 and 6 we investigate the coherence lifetime of the NV- center and discover a novel method for probing nuclear quadrupolar interactions in the solid state. In chapter 7 we obtain detailed chemical information about defect centers neighboring the NV- center via observation of cross-relaxation effects. In chapter 8 we find a method to sensitively control the polarization of nuclear spins neighboring the NV$^-$ center in the diamond lattice. And in chapters 9 and 10 we use an ensemble of NV$^-$ centers to probe small magnetic fields external to the diamond lattice.

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