Quantum measurement in living cells: Fluorescent diamond nanocrystals for biology

  • L. P. McGuinness
  • , Y. Yan
  • , A. Stacey
  • , D. A. Simpson
  • , L. T. Hall
  • , D. Maclaurin
  • , S. Prawer
  • , P. Mulvaney
  • , J. Wrachtrup
  • , F. Caruso
  • , R. E. Scholten
  • , L. C.L. Hollenberg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We have demonstrated optically detected magnetic resonance of individual fluorescent nanodiamond nitrogen-vacancy centres inside living human HeLa cells, and measured their spin levels and spin coherence times while tracking their location and orientation with nanoscale precision. Quantum coherence was measured through Rabi and spin-echo sequences over long (>10 h) periods, and orientation was tracked with 1° angular precision in 89 ms acquisition time. Individual centres were identified optically by their electron spin resonance spectrum, allowing simultaneous tracking of many otherwise identical flourescent particles. In addition, variation in the decoherence rates was linked to changes in the local environment inside the cells, representing a new non-destructive imaging modality for intracellular biology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationInternational Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011
Pages601-602
Number of pages2
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011 - Sydney, Australia
Duration: Aug 28 2011Sep 1 2011

Publication series

NameOptics InfoBase Conference Papers
ISSN (Electronic)2162-2701

Conference

ConferenceInternational Quantum Electronics Conference, IQEC 2011
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period8/28/119/1/11

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Instrumentation
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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