Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM)
First generation QDM built in 2019. Designed to map magnetic sources near the surface of a polished material. Used to locate sources retaining magnetic remanence allowing deeper insights into the magnetic minerals that hold remanence and the geological or planetary processes that may have affected the materials magnetic properties.
IRM Quantum Diamond Microscope

About 

By exploiting the quantum properties of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, QDM allows non-destructive, high-resolution imaging of magnetic fields at the nano/micrometer scale. This technique can resolve weak, localized remanent magnetizations carried by individual mineral grains, providing direct insights into paleomagnetic records, rock magnetic processes, and the preservation of geomagnetic signals in complex natural samples. 

Specifications:

  • Temperature range: room temperature.
  • Applied Field: 0.9 mT
  • Resolution: nanometer to micro-meter
  • Each measurement generates an ~2 x 2 mm map.
  • Measurement time: 20 mins to multiple hours for a map, depending on the strength of magnetization.

Samples for the QDM:

The QDM is only suited to materials that can be made to have a flat top and bottom face. The top face must be able to be polished to a very fine level. The diamond must have almost perfect and even contact with the top of the sample. The most straightforward preparation is to have the sample prepared as a thin or thick section, or mounted in an epoxy plug. Please contact the IRM ([email protected]) to ask about sample preparation and applicability to your research.

Example of QDM data

QDM Map
An example of a QDM map (left) showing numerous magnetic dipole sources distributed with differing density across a 2 mm wide area of a meteorite sample. The QDM reveals magnetic sources that are not visible by eye (as in the right-hand LED image and in separate EPMA mapping) as well as a strong single large iron grain point source (top center of LED image).

See also

Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM)

The Magnetic force microscope (MFM) uses a very fine magnetically-coated tip mounted on a cantilever to measure magnetic force as it is scanned across the surface of a sample. The resolution is high enough to allow imaging the magnetization structure inside domain walls. Used when the magnetic structure of individual grains is of interest.

MFM
Last updated on