Innovative solutions come from combining innovative techniques. And that is what happened to the team led by Prof. Martino Poggio (University of Basel) developing nanomagnets to operate spin qubits. Liza Zaper, leading scientist and first author of the work recently published in ACS Applied Nano Materials, shared with us the key results of her research.
Zaper et al patterned cobalt nanomagnets using Focused Electron Beam Deposition (FEBID) and characterize them using Scanning NV Microscopy. As a single-step fabrication method that allows 3D geometries fabrication, FEBID opens new possibilities to engineer nanostructures with magnetic gradients that are optimized for spin qubit control. Thanks to the spatial resolution and high magnetic sensitivity of Scanning NV Microscopy, such magnetic gradients could be measured with unprecedented precision, giving the feedback needed to optimize the fabrication process.
A chat with Liza
Our Marketing Manager Lucia Garbini interviewed Liza Zaper (PhD Student at Poggio Lab and Application Scientist at Qnami) to learn more about her research and the role ProteusQ had in it. Enjoy the conversation.
Lucia: What is the main goal of your research?
Liza: The main goal of my research is to investigate and characterize the magnetic properties of nanomagnets for spin qubit control. For this purpose, I am interested in exploring the domains inside the magnetic material that I am using for the magnet fabrication. I want to characterize their size, and their impact on the spin qubit operation. I am as well interested in characterizing the magnetic gradient produced by the nanomagnets. The aim is to make it as big as possible in an as small as possible unit of volume space.
Lucia: Why did you choose Scanning NV Microscopy to characterize your nanomagnets?
Liza: I am interested in resolving magnetic fields on the order of a few tens of nanometers, which is within the order of electron wavelength. And NVs are perfect companions for that purpose.
Lucia: In what ways did ProteusQ contribute to the success of your research?
Liza: ProteusQ is a system that works very well at room temperature. It offers fast and straightforward measurements of the magnetic properties of my nanomagnets. Using Magneto PQ, I was able to apply strong in-plane magnetic fields (up to 200 mT) and check how uniform my nanomagnets would appear under bias fields.
Lucia: Based on your experience, do you see potential applications for our Scanning NV microscope ProteusQ in other areas of research?
Liza: Yes, I think that Scanning NV Microscopy has the potential to be used in a broad range of applications. Thanks to its operation at room temperature, modular software design, and reliability of the diamond sensor, ProteusQ offers high value in terms of performance and adaptability.
The role of ProteusQ and Magneto PQ
Nanomagnets can be used for spin qubit control if the magnetic gradient they generate is homogeneus and reliable eough. Unveiling even the smallest magnetic inhomogeneities that could deteriorate spin qubit operation is still challenging with state-of-the-art techniques. By using ProteusQ combined with Magneto PQ, researchers were able to resolve magnetic fields down to the nanometer scale.
Qnami ProteusQ
ProteusQ is a complete quantum microscope system. It is the first scanning NV (nitrogen-vacancy) microscope for the analysis of magnetic materials at the nanoscale. The system allows user to detect extremely small magnetic fields generated from a wide range of materials, even antiferromagnets.
What about exploring how ProteusQ can help you prove your hypotheses and push the frontiers of science? If you are curious, then contact our Sales Managers, Dr. Joerg Lenz and Benjamin Holmes (sales@qnami.ch).
Will your application be the next one?
Scanning NV Magnetometry is unlocking more and more applications in the field of nanoscale magnetism. Can yours be the next one? Let’s find out together. Drop an email to our Application Scientist Dr. Peter Rickhaus (AppLab@qnami.ch).
We would be happy to talk with you. Share with us the challenges you face when it comes to measure magnetic properties of your sample. We might be able to help you. Would you like to discuss with us about your application? Let’s have a chat.