Nanodiamond sensors for super-resolution single molecular diagnostics in biology (R-6243)

Recent developments of engineering's nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have paved the way towards use of nanodiamond as a novel sensitive nanoscale probe that can be used for quantum measurements and for diagnostics in medicine. One of the most striking property of the NV center is the fact that the electron transitions among NV quantum states can be influenced even by very weak external electric or magnetic fields (those emerge upon the interaction with biological and chemical environment). The aim of this work is to develop techniques towards molecular detection in single cells and other body fluids. The development include manipulation with photon or spin centers by the way that they can react to the external optical and magnetic fields generated by biomolecular interactions. Both nanodiamond layers and particles will be studied to determine NV sensing capabilities. Home-built optical confocal setup will be enhanced by the methods of ODMR for magnetic sensing and readout the T1 or T2 relaxation times. NV related luminescence will be studied on commercial time-resolved confocal microscope using FLIM, antibunching and spectral detection. Novel principle for the detection of NV centres magnetic resonance in diamond by directly monitoring spin-preserving electron transitions through measurement of NV centre related photocurrent (Photocurrent Detection of Magnetic Resonance) will be developed. This direct detection technique offers a sensitive way for the readout of diamond NV sensors and allows the detection of NV spin resonance in light scattering media, which will be an advantage for various sensing applications.

Keywords:nanoparticles and -clusters

Disciplines:Ceramic and glass materials, Materials science and engineering, Semiconductor materials