Una ilustración del sistema de resonancia magnética detectada ópticamente (ODMR) con resolución espacial para imágenes de campo magnético. Crédito: Exciton Science
Los investigadores de UNSW Sydney han desarrollado un método a escala de chip que utiliza OLED para generar imágenes de campos magnéticos, convirtiendo potencialmente los teléfonos inteligentes en sensores cuánticos portátiles. La técnica es más escalable y no requiere entrada de láser, lo que hace que el dispositivo sea más pequeño y producible en masa. La tecnología podría usarse en diagnósticos médicos remotos e identificación de fallas de hardware.
Los teléfonos inteligentes algún día podrían convertirse en sensores cuánticos portátiles gracias a un nuevo enfoque a escala de chip que utiliza diodos orgánicos emisores de luz (OLED) para generar imágenes de campos magnéticos.
Investigadores del Centro ARC de Excelencia en Ciencias de Exciton en UNSW Sydney han demostrado que los OLED, un tipo de material semiconductor que se encuentra comúnmente en televisores de pantalla plana, pantallas de teléfonos inteligentes y otras pantallas digitales, se pueden usar para mapear campos magnéticos usando resonancia magnética.
La detección de campos magnéticos tiene importantes aplicaciones en la investigación científica, la industria y la medicina.
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Dr. Rugang Geng working at UNSW Sydney. Credit: Exciton Science
The majority of existing quantum sensing and magnetic field imaging equipment is relatively large and expensive, requiring either optical pumping (from a high-powered laser) or very low cryogenic temperatures. This limits the device integration potential and commercial scalability of such approaches.
By contrast, the OLED sensing device prototyped in this work would ultimately be small, flexible, and mass-producible.
The techniques involved in achieving this are electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). This is achieved using a camera and microwave electronics to optically detect magnetic resonance, the same physics which enables Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Using OLEDs for EDMR and ODMR depends on correctly harnessing the spin behavior of electrons when they are in proximity to magnetic fields.
OLEDs, which are highly sensitive to magnetic fields, are already found in mass-produced electronics like televisions and smartphones, making them an attractive prospect for commercial development in new technologies.
Professor Dane McCamey of UNSW, who is also an Exciton Science Chief Investigator, said: “Our device is designed to be compatible with commercially available OLED technologies, providing the unique ability to map magnetic field over a large area or even a curved surface.
“You could imagine using this technology being added to smartphones to help with remote medical diagnostics, or identifying defects in materials.”
First author Dr. Rugang Geng of UNSW and Exciton Science added: “While our study demonstrates a clear technology pathway, more work will be required to increase the sensitivity and readout times.”
Professor McCamey said that a patent has been filed (Australian Patent Application 2022901738) with a view toward the potential commercialization of the technology.
Reference: “Sub-micron spin-based magnetic field imaging with an organic light emitting diode” by Rugang Geng, Adrian Mena, William J. Pappas and Dane R. McCamey, 15 March 2023, Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37090-y