Vector magnetometry based on S=3/2 electronic spins

Electronic spin systems with S>1/2 provide an efficient method for DC vector magnetometry, since the conventional electron spin resonance spectra at a given magnetic field reflect not only the field strength but also orientation in the presence of strong spin-spin interactions. S=1 spins, e.g. the nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, have been intensively investigated for such a purpose. In this report, we compare S=1 and S=3/2 spins, and discuss how one can apply general principles for the use of high spin systems as a vector magnetometer to the S=3/2 spin systems. We find analytical solutions which allow a reconstruction of the magnetic field strength and polar angle using the observed resonance transitions if an uniaxial symmetry exists for the spin-spin interaction as in S=1 systems. We also find that an ambiguity of determining the field parameters may arise due to the unique properties of S=3/2 systems, and present solutions for it utilizing additional transitions in the low-field region. The electronic spins of the silicon vacancy in silicon carbide will be introduced as a model for the S=3/2 DC vector magnetometer and the practical usage of it, including the magic-angle spinning type method, will be presented too.

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