Microscopic theory of a precessing ferromagnet for ultrasensitive magnetometry
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Levitated systems have great potential in quantum sensing and exploring fundamental physics at the macroscopic scale. Of particular interest are recent works suggesting that a levitated ferromagnet can beat the standard quantum limit of magnetometry, a benchmark for quantum sensors. In this work, we show how a microscopic theory capturing atomic-scale spin-lattice interactions can be used to fully explain the emergence of collective precession dynamics of a levitated ferromagnet and the origin of its enhanced magnetometric sensitivity beyond that of independent spins. Our theory further takes us to two innovative experimental designs of immediate interest: measurement of the celebrated Berry phase with a precessing ferromagnetic needle and the use of its nutation motion to sense a low-frequency oscillating magnetic field. With a microscopic theory established for levitated ferromagnetic needles, future studies of macroscopic quantum effects and the associated quantum-classical transition also become possible.
Source: Physical Review Research
DOI: 10.1103/1v1p-kpb2
Authors: Xueqi Ni, Zhixing Zou, Ruvi Lecamwasam, Andrea Vinante, Dmitry Budker, Ping Koy Lam, Tao Wang, Jiangbin Gong
Institutions: National University of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Helmholtz Institute Mainz, University of California, Berkeley, Centre for Quantum Technologies, Australian National University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,625
OpenAlex ID: W4415757398