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Optical widefield nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy

Author

Listed:
  • Karl D. Briegel

    (Department of Chemistry
    Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST))

  • Nick R. Grafenstein

    (Department of Chemistry
    Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST))

  • Julia C. Draeger

    (Department of Chemistry
    Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST))

  • Peter Blümler

    (Institute of Physics)

  • Robin D. Allert

    (Department of Chemistry
    Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST))

  • Dominik B. Bucher

    (Department of Chemistry
    Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST))

Abstract

Microscopy enables detailed visualization and understanding of minute structures or processes. While cameras have significantly advanced optical, infrared, and electron microscopy, imaging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals on a camera has remained elusive. Here, we employ nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond as a quantum sensor, which converts NMR signals into optical signals that are subsequently captured by a high-speed camera. Unlike traditional magnetic resonance imaging, our method records the NMR signal over a wide field of view in real space. We demonstrate that our optical widefield NMR microscopy can image NMR signals in microfluidic structures with a ~10 μm resolution across a ~235 × 150 μm2 area. Crucially, each camera pixel records an NMR spectrum providing multicomponent information about the signal’s amplitude, phase, local magnetic field strengths, and gradients. The fusion of optical microscopy and NMR techniques enables multifaceted imaging applications in the physical and life sciences.

Suggested Citation

  • Karl D. Briegel & Nick R. Grafenstein & Julia C. Draeger & Peter Blümler & Robin D. Allert & Dominik B. Bucher, 2025. "Optical widefield nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55003-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55003-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David R. Glenn & Dominik B. Bucher & Junghyun Lee & Mikhail D. Lukin & Hongkun Park & Ronald L. Walsworth, 2018. "High-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy using a solid-state spin sensor," Nature, Nature, vol. 555(7696), pages 351-354, March.
    2. D. Le Sage & K. Arai & D. R. Glenn & S. J. DeVience & L. M. Pham & L. Rahn-Lee & M. D. Lukin & A. Yacoby & A. Komeili & R. L. Walsworth, 2013. "Optical magnetic imaging of living cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 496(7446), pages 486-489, April.
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