Browsing by Author "Kern, Michal"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Open Access
Current trends in VCO-based EPR
(2024) Kern, Michal; Chu, Anh; Anders, Jens
In this article we provide an overview of chip-integrated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-based EPR detection as a new paradigm in EPR sensing. After a brief motivation for this alternative detection method, we provide a self-contained overview of the detection principle, both for continuous-wave and pulsed detection. Based on this introduction, we will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of VCO-based detection compared to conventional resonator-based detection. This is followed by an overview of the current state of the art in VCO-based EPR and interesting emerging applications of the technology. The paper concludes with a brief summary and outlook on future research directions.
Open Access
Dead time-free detection of NMR signals using voltage-controlled oscillators
(2023) Kern, Michal; Klotz, Tobias; Spiess, Maximilian; Mavridis, Petros; Blümich, Bernhard; Anders, Jens
In this paper, we introduce voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) as a new type of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detector, enabling dead time-free detection of NMR signals after an excitation pulse as well as the real-time inductive detection of Rabi oscillations during the pulse. Together with the theory of operation, we present the details of a custom-designed prototype implementation of a VCO-based NMR detector with an operating frequency around 62 MHz. The proof-of-concept measurements obtained with this prototype clearly demonstrate the possibility of performing dead time-free NMR experiments with coherent spin manipulation. Moreover, we also experimentally verified the capability of VCO-based detectors for performing real-time inductive detection of Rabi oscillations during the excitation pulse.
Open Access
Hybrid spintronic materials from conducting polymers with molecular quantum bits
(2020) Kern, Michal; Tesi, Lorenzo; Neusser, David; Rußegger, Nadine; Winkler, Mario; Allgaier, Alexander; Gross, Yannic M.; Bechler, Stefan; Funk, Hannes S.; Chang, Li‐Te; Schulze, Jörg; Ludwigs, Sabine; Slageren, Joris van
Hybrid materials consisting of organic semiconductors and molecular quantum bits promise to provide a novel platform for quantum spintronic applications. However, investigations of such materials, elucidating both the electrical and quantum dynamical properties of the same material have never been reported. Here the preparation of hybrid materials consisting of conducting polymers and molecular quantum bits is reported. Organic field‐effect transistor measurements demonstrate that the favorable electrical properties are preserved in the presence of the qubits. Chemical doping introduces charge carriers into the material, and variable‐temperature charge transport measurements reveal the existence of mobile charge carriers at temperatures as low as 15 K. Importantly, quantum coherence of the qubit is shown to be preserved up to temperatures of at least 30 K, that is, in the presence of mobile charge carriers. These results pave the way for employing such hybrid materials in novel molecular quantum spintronic architectures.
Open Access
Integration of molecular quantum bits with semiconductor spintronics
(2022) Kern, Michal; Slageren, Joris van (Prof. Dr.)
Open Access
Monitoring the state of charge of vanadium redox flow batteries with an EPR-on-a-Chip dipstick sensor
(2024) Künstner, Silvio; McPeak, Joseph E.; Chu, Anh; Kern, Michal; Dinse, Klaus-Peter; Naydenov, Boris; Fischer, Peter; Anders, Jens; Lips, Klaus
The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is considered a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. VRFBs store energy by electrochemical reactions of different electroactive species dissolved in electrolyte solutions. The redox couples of VRFBs are VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+, the ratio of which to the total vanadium content determines the state of charge (SOC). V(iv) and V(ii) are paramagnetic half-integer spin species detectable and quantifiable with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Common commercial EPR spectrometers, however, employ microwave cavity resonators which necessitate the use of large electromagnets, limiting their application to dedicated laboratories. For an SOC monitoring device for VRFBs, a small, cost-effective submersible EPR spectrometer, preferably with a permanent magnet, is desirable. The EPR-on-a-Chip (EPRoC) spectrometer miniaturises the complete EPR spectrometer onto a single microchip by utilising the coil of a voltage-controlled oscillator as both microwave source and detector. It is capable of sweeping the frequency while the magnetic field is held constant enabling the use of small permanent magnets. This drastically reduces the experimental complexity of EPR. Hence, the EPRoC fulfils the requirements for an SOC sensor. We, therefore, evaluate the potential for utilisation of an EPRoC dipstick spectrometer as an operando and continuously online monitor for the SOC of VRFBs. Herein, we present quantitative proof-of-principle submersible EPRoC experiments on variably charged vanadium electrolyte solutions. EPR data obtained with a commercial EPR spectrometer are in good agreement with the EPRoC data.