Quantitative vectorial magnetic imaging of multi domain rock forming minerals using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

Abstract: Magnetization in rock samples is crucial for paleomagnetometry research, as it harbors valuable geological information on long term processes, such as tectonic movements and the formation of oceans and continents. Nevertheless, current techniques are limited in their ability to measure high spatial resolution and high-sensitivity quantitative vectorial magnetic signatures from such samples. As a result, our understanding of this magnetization is limited, specifically for the case of multi-domain samples. In this work we use a newly developed nitrogen-vacancy magnetic microscope, capable of quantitative vectorial magnetic imaging with optical resolution. We demonstrate direct imaging of the vectorial magnetic field of a single, multi-domain dendrite, as well as the measurement and calculation of the weak magnetic moments of individual grains on the micron scale. These results pave the way for future applications in paleomagnetometry, and for the fundamental understanding of magnetization in multi-domain samples.