Simultaneous acquisition of multiple orders of intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence images

Recent studies have demonstrated the ability to detect images based on intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences (iMQCs) that correspond to flipping of two or more separated spins simultaneously, as opposed to conventional magnetic resonance where only one spin is flipped at a time. Until now, iMQC imaging has only acquired one coherence signal per pulse sequence. Here we report a new sequence that successfully detects five orders of coherence (2, 1, 0, −1, and −2-quantum coherence images) in one pulse sequence, with each signal having its full intensity. The simultaneous acquisition highlights substantial contrast differences between conventional and iMQC images, and between the different types of iMQC images.     

Effects of residual single-quantum coherences in intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence studies

Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences (iMQCs) have been reported to offer a sensitivity to sample structure at a specific user-defined length scale down to the order of 10 microm. When assessing this novel contrast mechanism in controlled phantom experiments, we have observed three different mechanisms whereby residual single-quantum coherences (SQCs) arising from intense high spatial frequencies, stimulated echoes and strong spatially encoding gradients can produce significant changes in signal contrast at particular length scales. These changes which only appear when components arising from SQCs and iMQCs are both present in the detected signal, are similar to changes previously attributed to iMQCs alone. We demonstrate each mechanism by which these residual SQCs arise and describe methods for their suppression.     

Experimental characterization of intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence pumping efficiency in solution NMR

The behavior of intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences in a variety of simple liquids with different chemical and magnetic properties is investigated experimentally and modeled by numerical simulations based on modified Bloch equations. The effects of spin concentration, temperature, intramolecular conformational flexibility, chemical exchange, and spin-spin coupling on the formation of high-order coherences are examined. It is shown that any process that makes the Larmor frequency time-dependent may interfere with the formation of these coherences. Good agreement is achieved between experiments and simulation, using independently known values of the magnetization density, the rate constants for translational diffusion, spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation, and radiation damping.     

Magnetic resonance microscopic imaging based on high-order intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences

Most imaging studies using intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences (iMQCs) have focused on the two-spin dipolar interactions--zero and double quantum coherences. Here, we report the results of various experimental studies to assess the feasibility of magnetic resonance microscopy with high-order iMQCs in model systems at 7 and 14 T. Experimental results demonstrated that the iMQC microscopic images with high coherence orders are readily observable at high field and have unique contrast depending on the sample microstructure and coherence order.     

Quantum computers and quantum coherence

If the states of spins in solids can be created, manipulated, and measured at the single-quantum level, an entirely new form of information processing, quantum computing, will be possible. We first give an overview of quantum information processing, showing that the famous Shor speedup of integer factoring is just one of a host of important applications for qubits, including cryptography, counterfeit protection, channel capacity enhancement, distributed computing, and others. We review our proposed spin-quantum dot architecture for a quantum computer, and we indicate a variety of first generation materials, optical, and electrical measurements which should be considered. We analyze the efficiency of a two-dot device as a transmitter of quantum information via the propagation of qubit carriers (i.e. electrons) in a Fermi sea.     

Steady quantum coherence in non-equilibrium environment

We study the steady state of a three-level system in contact with a non-equilibrium environment, which is composed of two independent heat baths at different temperatures. We derive a master equation to describe the non-equilibrium process of the system. For the three level systems with two dipole transitions, i.e., the Λ$\Lambda$-type and V-type, we find that the interferences of two transitions in a non-equilibrium environment can give rise to non-vanishing steady quantum coherence, namely, there exist non-zero off-diagonal terms in the steady state density matrix (in the energy representation). Moreover, the non-vanishing off-diagonal terms increase with the temperature difference of the two heat baths. Such interferences of the transitions were usually omitted by secular approximation, for it was usually believed that they only take effect in short time behavior and do not affect the steady state. Here we show that, in non-equilibrium systems, such omission would lead to the neglect of the steady quantum coherence.     

Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence NMR signals modulated by double distant dipolar fields

A modified CRAZED pulse sequence was applied to obtain the intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence NMR signals from double distant dipolar fields in highly polarized spin systems. Complete theoretical analyses were explicitly derived from the dipolar field treatment combined with product operator formalism. Two typical samples containing several different components were chosen for the experimental verifications. The computer simulations and experimental observations are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The results presented herein provide a convenient way to understand the combined effects of multiple distant dipolar fields from the different components in complicated chemical or biological solutions. When experimental conditions such as selective radio-frequency pulses are not optimal, it may be helpful to identify possible unexpected signals or artefacts of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy in inhomogeneous fields.     

Electron spin coherence in Si

We discuss pulsed electron spin resonance measurements of electrons in Si and determine the spin coherence from the decay of the spin echo signals. Tightly bound donor electrons in isotopically enriched ²⁸Si are found to have exceptionally long spin coherence. Placing the donors near a surface or interface is found to decrease the spin coherence time, but it is still in the range of milliseconds. Unbound two-dimensional electrons have shorter coherence times of a few microseconds, though still long compared to the Zeeman frequency or the typical time to manipulate a spin with microwave pulses. Longer spin coherence is expected in two-dimensional systems patterned into quantum dots, but relatively small dots will be required. Data from dots with a lithographic size of 400 nm do not yet show longer spin coherence.     

Observation of intermolecular double-quantum coherence signal dips in nuclear magnetic resonance

The correlated spectroscopy revamped by asymmetric Z-gradient echo detection (CRAZED) sequence is modified to investigate intermolecular double-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance signal dips in highly polarized spin systems. It is found that the occurrence of intermolecular double-quantum coherence signal dips is related to sample geometry, field inhomogeneity and dipolar correlation distance. If the field inhomogeneity is refocused, the signal dip occurs at a fixed position whenever the dipolar correlation distance approaches the sample dimension. However, the position is shifted when the field inhomogeneity exists. Experiments and simulations are performed to validate our theoretic analysis. These signal features may offer a unique way to investigate porous structures and may find applications in biomedicine and material science.     

Isolating quantum coherences in structural imaging using intermolecular double-quantum coherence MRI

Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence (iMQC) MR imaging provides a fundamentally different contrast mechanism. It allows probing tissue microstructure by tuning the direction and strength of the correlation gradient. However, iMQC images of a specific quantum-coherence can easily be contaminated by leakage signals from undesired quantum coherences (zero, single, and triple quantum coherence in this work). Using a modified double-quantum CRAZED imaging sequence, we show that signals originating from various coherence orders (M=0, 1, 2, 3) can be predicted in k-space and effectively isolated by means of a four-step phase cycling scheme and judicious choice of flip angles. Finally, preliminary data suggest the method to be able to provide information on trabecular bone architecture such as regional mean trabecular plate separation.     

Full counting statistics as a probe of quantum coherence in a side-coupled double quantum dot system

We study theoretically the full counting statistics of electron transport through side-coupled double quantum dot (QD) based on an efficient particle-number-resolved master equation. It is demonstrated that the high-order cumulants of transport current are more sensitive to the quantum coherence than the average current, which can be used to probe the quantum coherence of the considered double QD system. Especially, quantum coherence plays a crucial role in determining whether the super-Poissonian noise occurs in the weak inter-dot hopping coupling regime depending on the corresponding QD-lead coupling, and the corresponding values of super-Poissonian noise can be relatively enhanced when considering the spins of conduction electrons. Moreover, this super-Poissonian noise bias range depends on the singly-occupied eigenstates of the system, which thus suggests a tunable super-Poissonian noise device. The occurrence-mechanism of super-Poissonian noise can be understood in terms of the interplay of quantum coherence and effective competition between fast-and-slow transport channels.     

High-resolution 2D NMR spectra in inhomogeneous fields based on intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences with efficient acquisition schemes

High-resolution 2D NMR spectra in inhomogeneous fields can be achieved by the use of intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences and shearing reconstruction of 3D data. However, the long acquisition time of 3D spectral data is generally unbearable for in vivo applications. To overcome this problem, two pulse sequences dubbed as iDH-COSY and iDH-JRES were proposed in this paper. Although 3D acquisition is still required for the new sequences, the high-resolution 2D spectra can be obtained with a relatively short scanning time utilizing the manipulation of indirect evolution period and sparse sampling. The intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence treatment combined with the raising and lowering operators was applied to derive analytical signal expressions for the new sequences. And the experimental observations agree with the theoretical predictions. Our results show that the new sequences possess bright perspective in the applications on in vivo localized NMR spectroscopy.     

Accurate measurements of small J coupling constants under inhomogeneous fields via intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences

Two new NMR pulse sequences, based on intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences (iMQCs), were developed to obtain apparent J coupling constants with a scaling factor from one to infinity relative to the conventional J coupling constants. Here the apparent J coupling constants were defined as apparent peak separations in unit of Hz in a reconstructed spectrum for a coupled spin system. Except for the adjustable scaling factor for apparent J coupling constants, the sequences hold the advantage of high acquisition efficiency, and retain the spectral information such as chemical shifts, multiplet patterns, and relative peak areas under inhomogeneous fields. For spin systems with small scalar coupling constants, well-resolved J-spectra can be achieved by selecting a proper scaling factor. Theoretical predictions are in good agreement with simulation results and experimental observations.     

Skin layer detection of optical coherence tomography images

In this paper, we present an image processing algorithm to automatically and more precisely detect the boundary between the main skin layers: stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis. The aim of the proposed skin layer detection algorithm is to assist the dermatologists to measure the epidermal thickness (ET) for skin diseases diagnosis and also to assist pharmacologists so that they can make a better decision for prescribing according to the advancement of the skin disorders characterized with ET change.     

Large phase coherence effects in GaMnAs-based nanostructures: Towards a quantum spintronics

Quantum coherent transport of spin-polarized carriers is observed on a very unusual large scale within epitaxial nanowires of GaMnAs, a diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor. From the analysis of the amplitude of strong universal conductance fluctuations, an effective phase coherence length of about 100 nm is inferred at T=100 mK, which is one order of magnitude larger than in a granular 3d-metal ferromagnets. Together with the temperature and bias dependence of these reproducible fluctuations, their wire-length dependence is studied in single-domain sub-micron long nanowires with a perprendicular anisotropy. In particular, variations for two equivalent probe configurations are shown when the length becomes comparable to the actual phase coherence length. This result forecasts the possible observation of non-local voltage drops in GaMnAs nanostructures smaller than about 200 nm. Generally speaking, this research contributes to pave the way towards the realization of quantum spintronics devices.     

An analytical approach for studying the resonant states in mesoscopic devices using the phase coherence of electron waves

Based on the phase coherence of electron waves, an analytical method has been proposed to approach the resonant states in mesoscopic devices. The proposed method has been demonstrated that it is valid in the studies of the resonant states in quantum well structures and the ballistic transport in ultrathin MOS devices. The resonant states in mesoscopic devices calculated from the proposed method agree well with those from the quantum mechanical method. The results show that the proposed method is valid in simplifying some quantum issues in mesoscopic devices.     

Intermolecular double-quantum coherence imaging without coherence selection gradients and its application in in vivo MRI

In the COSY Revamped with Asymmetric Z-gradient Echo Detection (CRAZED) experiments, magnetization is modulated by the distant dipolar field (DDF) generated by coherence selection gradient (CSG) commonly in sinusoidal wave-form and results in detectable intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence (iMQC) signal. IMQCs have some attractive features, but their intrinsic weak signal intensity prevents their widespread applications. In this paper, a new phase cycling scheme was applied to obtain intermolecular double-quantum coherence (iDQC) signal. It is found that DDF can arise from nonspherical sample geometry or background inhomogeneous field in the absence of CSGs, which is more efficient than that created from CSGs. The experimental results show that the resulting DDF can refocus the ± iDQC signals simultaneously and thus enhance the signal intensity to about two folds of that from the conventional CRAZED sequence. Theoretical prediction and experiments give coincident results.     

A realistic experiment to demonstrate macroscopic quantum coherence

According to quantum theory, microscopic objects exist in a superposition of distinct states until they are “observed”. Nobody knows whether such quantum coherence can actually exist in a macroscopic system. In the experiment described here, a superconducting quantum interference device is extremely well isolated from any interaction with internal or external modes, and a superposition state can be demonstrated even if it lasts for less than 1 ns. This is accomplished by using superconducting digital electronic circuitry as the experimental apparatus. If successful, it is the first step toward a future full-scale quantum computer fabricated using integrated circuit manufacturing techniques.