ProteusQ™ Quantum Microscope

Features

• PRECISE
Map a wide range of magnetic signals down to the single atomic layer with nanoscale resolution for material science and more.

• INTUITIVE
Automated operations, tip and sample exchange in just a few minutes. You don’t even need quantum expertise.

• EVOLUTIVE
Adjust, expand and upgrade your ProteusQ. Synchronize measurements and run your own protocols with the Jupyter Notebook (Python).

Enhanced Precision with Quantum Microscopy

The Qnami ProteusQ opens a new window on your research and gives you a new level of control to drive innovation in the design, creation and delivery of smart and energy-efficient electronics.

Proven and robust platform

• Powered by Horiba, the world leader in AFM and optics
• Ultra low drift, closed loop scanners
• Stable optical design

NV SPM head compatible with QuantileverTM

• Fast and safe tip exchange
• Easy near-field antenna approach
• Single spin quantum sensor

Dedicated high frequency electronics

• Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy
• Optional high-frequency pulsing capabilities

Specifications

AFM

• 5x5x15 mm³ motorized approach system for XYZ sample positioning with positioning resolution < 1 um
• 100x100x15 (+/-10%) um³ XYZ piezo closed-loop sample scanner with XY non-linearity of 0.05%, and Z non-linearity of 0.05%
• Noise level:
 0.1nm RMS in XY dimension in 200Hz bandwidth with capacitance sensors ‘on’
 0.02nm RMS in XY dimension @ 100Hz bandwidth with capacitance sensors ‘off’
 < 0.04nm RMS Z capacitance sensor @ 1000Hz bandwidth
• Maximum sample size: 40x50mm², 15mm thickness
• Quantilever tuning-fork probe holder
• Integrated miniaturized microwave near-field antenna
• 4x4x4 mm³ xyz manual stage for near-field antenna positioning with resolution < 1 um
• NV bias magnet mounted on objective (vertical direction: -2.5 to +2.5 mT, manually adjustable)

Optics

• 100x Plan Apo infinity corrected objective, NA=0.7, working distance: 6mm
• 30x30x10μm³ XYZ closed loop piezo objective scanner with M26 x 36 TPI thread
• Video microscope top channel, including LED illuminator and a USB Industry CMOS camera (DFK 22AUC03), 744×480 pxl (0.4Mpxl), 4.46×2.88mm² sensor size
• Confocal optical unit with up-straight photon collection and 50um multimode fiber output coupler
• Optical diodelaser(λ=515±5 nm), tunable outputpower 0.01 -20.0mW at focal point
• Single photon counting module

Microwave generator

• Operating frequency bandwidth 2.5-3.5 GHz, 10Hz resolution
• Maximum power> 30dBm, with 0.1dB power resolution
• Gain compensated for flat power distribution across the whole frequency bandwidth
• 4 General purpose Input-Output (GPIO) channels with TTL level specification
• 1Gigabit Ethernet connection port for data transmission

Software

• Windows software for control of Smartscan SPM modes
• LabQ software for SNVM (NV fluorescence mode, optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy)
• Fluorescence auto-track routine
• Measurement scripting abilities via Jupyter Notebook

Software

The complete scanning NV system consists of the ProteusQ quantum microscope, a microwave signal generator with a photon counting module, and the system software.

While our quantum microscope will give you new insight into the nanoworld, we did not want the quantum machinery behind it to get in your way. Built upon the open-source
Qudi framework, the LabQ software intuitively guides you through the different measurement modes so that you get the answers you need as quickly as possible.

• From fast sample preview to detailed analysis
• Simultaneous mapping of topography and magnetic fields
• Fluorescence auto-track mode
• Write your own scripts and run custom-made protocols

Applications

Multiferroics

Bismuth Ferrite (BFO) is a fascinating material in which magnetic order can be controlled purely through electrical means, making it a promising candidate for ultra-efficient, next-generation spintronic devices. The Qnami ProteusQ has been effectively utilized to image its electrical and magnetic domains, as demonstrated by numerous publications.

2D materials

2D materials are making significant strides as functional elements in semiconductor devices. Although the signals from two-dimensional magnets are minuscule, they can still be detected by the ProteusQ, aiding researchers in understanding the textures of these ultrathin magnets. Additionally, SNVM can accurately resolve local current density flow patterns and optical properties of 2D materials.

Magnetic memories

Over the past few decades, advancements in storage density and energy efficiency have driven the miniaturization of magnetic memories, with state-of-the-art STT-MRAM bit sizes now well below the 100 nm scale. The ProteusQ provides the necessary power to probe the magnetic homogeneity of these bits with the required spatial resolution and sensitivity, even before electrical characterization.

Antiferromagnets

Ferromagnets have been utilized in memory devices for decades, but attention has only recently shifted to antiferromagnets. Their compensated spins make their magnetism more challenging to harness and detect. However, the minimal stray fields of antiferromagnets hold promise for enabling the development of ultradense memory storage. With the Qnami ProteusQ, we can visualize their remaining uncompensated spins, which are found at domain walls, crystalline edges, or within nanostructures.

Nanomagnets

The alignment of spins in a ferromagnet is strongly influenced by its nanoscale geometry. This principle is applied in modern technologies, such as MRAMs, and is being investigated in more advanced and complex structures like artificial spin ice geometries. The primary imaging challenges are the extreme scaling and the delicate nature of the resulting magnetic textures. Using the ProteusQ, we successfully imaged ultrascaled nanowires as narrow as 6 nm and demonstrated our ability to capture fragile spin vortices and artificial spin ice textures without causing disturbances.

Current density and microwave emission

Our cutting-edge quantum sensing technology captures magnetic stray fields produced by current flowing through devices with unmatched sensitivity. This enables precise measurement of local current density at the nanoscale. Furthermore, the ProteusQ can quantitatively image microwave emissions from interconnects and antennas.

Spinwaves

Spin wave devices, such as spin wave logic gates and spintronic filters, are increasingly attracting attention for their potential in next-generation computing and data processing. Local imaging of spin waves has been difficult, but Scanning NV magnetometry now offers precise measurement capabilities. This advancement significantly enhances the field of magnonics, opening new avenues for research and practical applications

Skyrmions

Skyrmions, complex topological excitations in magnetic materials, are generating significant interest for their potential in ultra-dense storage and neuromorphic computation, among other applications. Although imaging these tiny, fragile structures has been challenging, Scanning NV magnetometry offers the precision and non-invasiveness required to visualize them effectively.

Superconductors

Explore how Scanning NV Magnetometry is advancing superconductors research. Cryogenic Scanning NV Magnetometry provides the high sensitivity and spatial resolution required to image superconducting materials’ reactions to magnetic fields. This breakthrough allows for detailed observations of flux lines and vortex dynamics, leading to new insights into superconducting behavior.

Scanning NV literature

Find out more about Scanning NV Magnetometry in this curated collection of relevant literature. Explore how this powerful technique is advancing research across various fields by providing precise insights into magnetic phenomena at the nanoscale.

Measured with Qnami quantilevers

Discover the research enabled by Qnami Quantilevers, highlighting their contribution to advancements in magnetic imaging, quantum sensing, and material characterization. Explore how these probes are facilitating breakthroughs and dive into the publications that showcase the impact of Qnami Quantilevers on cutting-edge research.

Measured with Qnami ProteusQ

Explore key research made possible with ProteusQ. Discover how it’s advancing studies in magnetic textures, spin dynamics, and nanoscale current flows, driving innovation in materials science and spintronics. Dive into the literature shaping the future of quantum sensing.

Measured with Quantum Foundry Products

Explore how our advanced fabrication techniques are allowing our customers to drive breakthroughs in quantum sensing, computing and communication. Browse our case studies and publications to see how the diamonds produced by our Quantum Foundry are helping our customers to shape the future.