Conjugates of nano-diamond and magnetic or metallic particles
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorDirk R. ENGLUND
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Abstract
Techniques for imaging a characteristic of a sample with a plurality of conjugates of diamond-metallic nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center. The plurality of conjugates can be exposed to a sample and the nitrogen vacancy centers can be optically pumped. One or more microwave pulses can be applied to the nitrogen vacancy center, and a fluorescent response can be detected.
Claims27
A method for imaging a characteristic of a sample, comprising:
- providing a plurality of conjugates of diamond-magnetic nanoparticles, one or more of the plurality of conjugates including a diamond nanoparticle having a nitrogen vacancy center;
- exposing the plurality of conjugates to the sample;
- optically pumping the nitrogen vacancy center;
- applying at least one microwave pulse to the nitrogen vacancy center;
- and
- detecting a fluorescent response of the nitrogen vacancy center.
The method of claim 0, wherein the providing further comprises providing at least one diamond nanoparticle bonded to a magnetic nanoparticle by a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance corresponding to a radiative enhancement.
The method of claim 0, wherein optically pumping includes directing a continuous wave of pump light at approximately 532 nm to the nitrogen vacancy center.
The method of claim 0, wherein optically pumping includes applying a pulse of pump light at approximately 532 nm to the nitrogen vacancy center prior to applying the at least one microwave pulse, and applying a pulse of pump light at approximately 532 nm to the nitrogen vacancy center subsequent to applying the at least one microwave pulse.
The method of claim 0, wherein the providing further comprises providing a plurality of conjugates including a nitrogen vacancy center having a different orientation with respect to a corresponding magnetic nanoparticle relative to other conjugates, whereby a component of a magnetic field of the magnetic nanoparticle is exerted along an axis of the nitrogen vacancy center, and whereby a ms=+1 and a ms=+1 spin sublevel of the nitrogen vacancy center experience Zeeman splitting.
The method of claim 0, wherein the providing further comprises providing one or more conjugates bound to a biological molecule.
The method of claim 0, wherein the characteristic of the sample is pH concentration, and further comprising determining, based on the fluorescent response, a rate of ionization or reduction of the nitrogen vacancy center.
The method of claim 0, wherein the characteristic of the sample is electric field, and further comprising determining, based on the fluorescent response, a rate of switching between different charge states of the nitrogen vacancy center.
A nanoparticle diamond-metal conjugate prepared by the method, comprising:
- depositing a monolayer of diamond nanoparticles having approximately a predetermined radius on a substrate, one or more of the diamond nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center;
- etching the surface of the substrate to a depth greater than the predetermined radius;
- depositing a layer of metal having a predetermined thickness over the monolayer of diamond nanoparticles, the predetermined thickness corresponding to a radiative enhancement rate of the nitrogen vacancy center based on the predetermined radius of the diamond nanoparticles;
- and
- transferring the metal-covered diamond nanoparticles to a second substrate.
A nanoparticle diamond-metal conjugate prepared by the method, comprising:
- preparing a surface of diamond nanoparticles with an acid treatment, one or more of the diamond nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center;
- treating the diamond nanoparticles with one or more amino-terminated silanes to provide an amine on the surface of the diamond nanoparticles;
- preparing a surface of metal nanoparticles with a molecule, the molecule having an affinity to bond with the amine;
- and
- mixing the diamond nanoparticles and metal nanoparticles in a solution, whereby the molecule of the surface of the metal nanoparticles bonds to the amine of the surface of the diamond nanoparticles, thereby forming a diamond-metal conjugate.
A nanoparticle diamond-metal conjugate prepared by the method using a DNA strand, comprising:
- preparing a surface of diamond nanoparticles with an acid treatment, one or more of the diamond nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center;
- adapting the surface of at least one of the diamond nanoparticles to link to a first end of the DNA strand;
- providing metal nanoparticles, at least one of the metal nanoparticles adapted to link to a second end of the DNA strand;
- mixing the diamond nanoparticles and the metal nanoparticles in solution with at least the DNA strand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.