Spin manipulation using fast cantilever phase reversals

Abstract

The authors show that the phase of a high-Q cantilever can be reversed abruptly, and they use this capability to detect spins for magnetic resonance force microscopy. Spins are manipulated at the cantilever resonant frequency while driving the cantilever with a wave form that has no Fourier component at this frequency. This amplitude-based detection protocol is motivated by the desire to avoid the effects of surface-induced force noise, which can interfere with frequency-based detection schemes. The technique has been applied to the detection of E' centers and has shown significantly reduced susceptibility to surface noise, resulting in improved signal-to-noise ratio. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.