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Strongly Enhanced Sensitivity EPR through Bimodal Resonators and Quantum-Limited Amplifiers

Project description

Ultra-sensitive electron paramagnetic resonance using superconducting microresonators

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a valuable tool for studying electron spin environments, electronic properties and paramagnetic centre dynamics. However, it is limited by low sensitivity. The ERC-funded Strong-ESPRESSO project aims to revolutionise EPR sensitivity using bimodal microwave resonators, quantum-limited amplifiers and advanced noise reduction techniques. It will develop next-generation EPR cryoprobeheads and planar superconducting microresonators for studying tiny, fast-decohering spin systems, such as protein droplets. This will lead to an ultra-sensitive EPR setup capable of achieving a groundbreaking 5000x reduction in EPR measurement time while remaining compatible with standard EPR experiments. These advances will enable transformative studies of complex spin systems in areas including catalysis, protein droplets and single cells.

Objective

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful tool employed across various disciplines including structural biology, chemistry, physics, material science, and many others. It provides important and unique information on a local electron spin environment, electronic properties and dynamics of various paramagnetic centers. However, a relatively low sensitivity of this method often limits the range and type of systems that can be studied. Thus, major advancements in EPR sensitivity are crucial to significantly broaden its applicability, encompassing new and highly relevant systems such as single cells.
The Strongly Enhanced Sensitivity EPR through Bimodal Resonators and Quantum-Limited Amplifiers (Strong-ESPRESSO) project will ignite a revolution in EPR by employing sophisticated bimodal microwave resonators and intricate ways of noise reduction in tandem with novel microwave amplifiers developed for quantum technologies. We will achieve this by first delivering a new generation of EPR cryoprobeheads, which will utilize the orthogonal-field bimodal cavities, allowing to reach the sensitivity limit of these instruments. Secondly, we will transfer the bimodal cavity concept to planar superconducting microresonators, enabling the employment of these tools to study tiny (pL volume) samples of typical fast-decohering spin systems (e.g. protein droplets). Finally, we will develop an ultra-sensitive EPR setup based on the radiative cooling effect of the bimodal resonators and recent advances in the quantum-limited microwave amplifiers. This revolutionary new setup is expected to provide a ground-breaking 5000x reduction in the EPR measurement time, simultaneously preserving compatibility with ordinary EPR experiments and samples. Throughout the project, we will immediately apply the developed tools to study new and intricate spin systems in the fields of catalysis, protein droplets, and single cells, leading to major impacts far beyond EPR.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG

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Host institution

VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 499 919,00
Address
UNIVERSITETO G. 3
01513 Vilnius
Lithuania

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Region
Lietuva Sostinės regionas Vilniaus apskritis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 499 919,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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