Researchers at NIST have developed a new microresonator device that can measure electron spin in extremely small volumes, down to less than 0.1 nanoliters. This is significant because it allows scientists to study materials that were previously too small or too dilute for conventional electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements.
The new device uses a metamaterial design to concentrate and efficiently retain microwave energy in a tiny volume, increasing sensitivity. This enables measurements of electron spin at room temperature in small samples, including single crystals of biological materials, ultrathin films, and trace amounts of paramagnetic ions.
The ability to measure electron spin in such small volumes and at low concentrations could have important applications in biomedical research, drug development, and materials science. For example, it could help researchers study the role of free radicals in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration, and provide new insights into the electronic and magnetic properties of nanomaterials like graphene and perovskites.
Keywords: Spin, Paramagnetic, Electron, Magnetism, Microwaves
