Description
Non-linearity gives the capability to generate new frequencies of signals. Most commonly, the non-linear voltage-current relationship of a diode is used to perform radio-frequency mixing, where the sum, difference and harmonics of the frequencies of input electronic signals are obtained. Frequency mixing is a fundamental tool used in communications and sensing technology, both for receivers and sources where it is used for mod/demodulation and frequency up/down-conversion.
Similar non-linear behaviour can be found in the optical spin-resonance of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond. By applying multiple magnetic fields to the NV centre, frequency products and harmonics of the input signals can be seen as modulations of its optical fluorescence. This process works with both resonant (GHz) and non-resonant signals (< MHz). This process works continuously (CW) and is also phase coherent. Frequency mixing allows for significant enhancements in sensitivity, phase detection, frequency precision, bandwidth and measurement duration. It also allows for signals to be mixed down or up to more convenient frequencies for detection.
I will provide an overview of how we apply these techniques to experiments in our lab. Including magnetometry with an instantaneous bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz, polarisation sensing vector magnetometry and zero-field vector magnetometry. Additionally, I'll discuss our engineering efforts to make compact devices, including custom machined optics and magnetic circuits to build high performance low SWAP technology.
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
|---|