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| Cross-section
of Dr. Degen's
head recorded in a clinical MRI apparatus |
Cross-section
of two virus
particles on top of a molecular surface layer
at 1,000,000x
magnified
scale recorded in an MRFM apparatus |
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Welcome
to the
Degen group
at the MIT Department of Chemistry
Research:
At the Degen
lab
we invent,
build and operate
tools for
detecting weak magnetic signals at very small lengthscales.
Our goal is to
apply these tools for the following
purposes:
- Study of nanoscale
spin physics, quantum effects, and other
fundamental physical phenomena that become important at these small
scales (in condensed matter and quantum physics)
- Nanoscale MRI
imaging of single biological objects 1-100 nm in size (in structural
biology)
- Chemical
analysis
of heterogeneous surfaces with nanometer resolution using spectroscopy
(in surface science)
Read
more...
Techniques:
Magnetic
signals from spins in nanometer-sized samples are typically extremely
small. Our lab currently specializes on two experimental
approaches
that have the necessary sensitivity to examine these signals. In Magnetic
Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM),
we take
advantage of ultrasensitive cantilevers such as used in force
microscopy to measure spins by their magnetic force. In
recently invented Scanning
Diamond Magnetometry, we rely on
the exquiste magneto-optical properties of the NV defect in
diamond to sense the same minute magnetic fields optically and under
ambient conditions. Along the way
of improving the sensitivity of our instrumentation, we also hope to
make exciting new physical discoveries. Read
more...
©
2009 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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