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A quantum spin-probe molecular microscope

Author

Listed:
  • V. S. Perunicic

    (Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Physics, University of Melbourne)

  • C. D. Hill

    (Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Physics, University of Melbourne)

  • L. T. Hall

    (School of Physics, University of Melbourne)

  • L.C.L. Hollenberg

    (Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Physics, University of Melbourne
    School of Physics, University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Imaging the atomic structure of a single biomolecule is an important challenge in the physical biosciences. Whilst existing techniques all rely on averaging over large ensembles of molecules, the single-molecule realm remains unsolved. Here we present a protocol for 3D magnetic resonance imaging of a single molecule using a quantum spin probe acting simultaneously as the magnetic resonance sensor and source of magnetic field gradient. Signals corresponding to specific regions of the molecule’s nuclear spin density are encoded on the quantum state of the probe, which is used to produce a 3D image of the molecular structure. Quantum simulations of the protocol applied to the rapamycin molecule (C51H79NO13) show that the hydrogen and carbon substructure can be imaged at the angstrom level using current spin-probe technology. With prospects for scaling to large molecules and/or fast dynamic conformation mapping using spin labels, this method provides a realistic pathway for single-molecule microscopy.

Suggested Citation

  • V. S. Perunicic & C. D. Hill & L. T. Hall & L.C.L. Hollenberg, 2016. "A quantum spin-probe molecular microscope," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12667
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12667
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    Cited by:

    1. Jie Zhang & Linshan Liu & Chaofeng Zheng & Wang Li & Chunru Wang & Taishan Wang, 2023. "Embedded nano spin sensor for in situ probing of gas adsorption inside porous organic frameworks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. G. L. Stolpe & D. P. Kwiatkowski & C. E. Bradley & J. Randall & M. H. Abobeih & S. A. Breitweiser & L. C. Bassett & M. Markham & D. J. Twitchen & T. H. Taminiau, 2024. "Mapping a 50-spin-qubit network through correlated sensing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. K. S. Cujia & K. Herb & J. Zopes & J. M. Abendroth & C. L. Degen, 2022. "Parallel detection and spatial mapping of large nuclear spin clusters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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