80 research outputs found
Sensing electric fields using single diamond spins
The ability to sensitively detect charges under ambient conditions would be a
fascinating new tool benefitting a wide range of researchers across
disciplines. However, most current techniques are limited to low-temperature
methods like single-electron transistors (SET), single-electron electrostatic
force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy. Here we open up a new
quantum metrology technique demonstrating precision electric field measurement
using a single nitrogen-vacancy defect centre(NV) spin in diamond. An AC
electric field sensitivity reaching ~ 140V/cm/\surd Hz has been achieved. This
corresponds to the electric field produced by a single elementary charge
located at a distance of ~ 150 nm from our spin sensor with averaging for one
second. By careful analysis of the electronic structure of the defect centre,
we show how an applied magnetic field influences the electric field sensing
properties. By this we demonstrate that diamond defect centre spins can be
switched between electric and magnetic field sensing modes and identify
suitable parameter ranges for both detector schemes. By combining magnetic and
electric field sensitivity, nanoscale detection and ambient operation our study
opens up new frontiers in imaging and sensing applications ranging from
material science to bioimaging
Ultrafast electronic read-out of diamond NV centers coupled to graphene
Nonradiative transfer processes are often regarded as loss channels for an
optical emitter1, since they are inherently difficult to be experimentally
accessed. Recently, it has been shown that emitters, such as fluorophores and
nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, can exhibit a strong nonradiative energy
transfer to graphene. So far, the energy of the transferred electronic
excitations has been considered to be lost within the electron bath of the
graphene. Here, we demonstrate that the trans-ferred excitations can be
read-out by detecting corresponding currents with picosecond time resolution.
We electrically detect the spin of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond
electronically and con-trol the nonradiative transfer to graphene by electron
spin resonance. Our results open the avenue for incorporating nitrogen vacancy
centers as spin qubits into ultrafast electronic circuits and for harvesting
non-radiative transfer processes electronically
The genetics of addiction—a translational perspective
Addictions are serious and common psychiatric disorders, and are among the leading contributors to preventable death. This selective review outlines and highlights the need for a multi-method translational approach to genetic studies of these important conditions, including both licit (alcohol, nicotine) and illicit (cannabis, cocaine, opiates) drug addictions and the behavioral addiction of disordered gambling. First, we review existing knowledge from twin studies that indicates both the substantial heritability of substance-specific addictions and the genetic overlap across addiction to different substances. Next, we discuss the limited number of candidate genes which have shown consistent replication, and the implications of emerging genomewide association findings for the genetic architecture of addictions. Finally, we review the utility of extensions to existing methods such as novel phenotyping, including the use of endophenotypes, biomarkers and neuroimaging outcomes; emerging methods for identifying alternative sources of genetic variation and accompanying statistical methodologies to interpret them; the role of gene-environment interplay; and importantly, the potential role of genetic variation in suggesting new alternatives for treatment of addictions
- …