Membrane-based torque magnetometer: Enhanced sensitivity by optical readout of the membrane displacement

Abstract

The design and realization of a torque magnetometer is reported that reads the deflection of a membrane by optical interferometry. The compact instrument allows for low-temperature measurements of tiny crystals less than a microgram with a significant improvement in sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio as well as data acquisition time compared with conventional magnetometry and offers an enormous potential for further improvements and future applications in different fields. Magnetic measurements on single-molecule magnets demonstrate the applicability of the membrane-based torque magnetometer.

Spin Detection via Parametric Frequency Conversion in a Membrane Resonator

“…Eqs. ( 14) and (26)]. However, it also increases the readout mode dissipation via nonlinear damping [Eq.…”

“…Silicon nitride membranes are attractive transducers for spin detection instruments [25][26][27][28]. Their large surface allows simple placement of samples, and their high spring constants ensure low displacement drift and bending even in the proximity of a scanning tip.…”

Force-detected high-frequency electron spin resonance spectroscopy using magnet-mounted nanomembrane: Robust detection of thermal magnetization modulation

“…Recently, membrane-type micromechanical devices have proved to be effective for magnetic and [24,25] mag- netic resonance measurements [26,27]. As these devices have excellent physical properties, it is expected that they can address the problems associated with microcantilevers [28].…”

Spin detection via parametric frequency conversion in a membrane resonator

“…Silicon nitride membranes are attractive transducers for a new generation of spin detection instruments [25][26][27][28]. Their large surface allows simple placement of samples, and their high spring constants ensure low displacement drift and bending even in the proximity of a scanning tip.…”