title: High-sensitivity Q-band electron spin resonance imaging system with submicron resolution.
abstract: A pulsed electron spin resonance (ESR) microimaging system operating at the Q-band frequency range is presented. The system includes a pulsed ESR spectrometer, gradient drivers, and a unique high-sensitivity imaging probe. The pulsed gradient drivers are capable of producing peak currents ranging from ∼9 A for short 150 ns pulses up to more than 94 A for long 1400 ns gradient pulses. Under optimal conditions, the imaging probe provides spin sensitivity of ∼1.6 × 10(8) spins∕√Hz or ∼2.7 × 10(6) spins for 1 h of acquisition. This combination of high gradients and high spin sensitivity enables the acquisition of ESR images with a resolution down to ∼440 nm for a high spin concentration solid sample (∼10(8) spins∕μm(3)) and ∼6.7 μm for a low spin concentration liquid sample (∼6 × 10(5) spins/μm(3)). Potential applications of this system range from the imaging of point defects in crystals and semiconductors to measurements of oxygen concentration in biological samples.
authors.affiliation: Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
authors.forename: Lazar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shtirberg
authors.forename: Ygal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Twig
authors.forename: Ekaterina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dikarov
authors.forename: Revital
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halevy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levit
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blank