Current density imaging by pulsed conduction electron spin resonance.

In analogy with Nuclear MRI, the ESR signal phase shift of conduction electrons moving in electrical currents along controlled magnetic field gradients can be used to generate spatial electronic current density maps. First two-dimensional images of the current density distribution in quasi-one-dimensional organic conductors are presented.

Three-dimensional cylindrical X-band ESR imaging by a combined pulsed gradient Fourier and static gradient projection reconstruction method.

Static gradient electron spin echo projection reconstruction imaging is favourable for X-band material science applications requiring temperature variation with a metal cryostat. To prevent imaging artefacts due to the high conduction electron diffusion coefficient in the preferred conduction direction of quasi-one-dimensional conductors, only pulsed gradient phase encoding for that direction can be tolerated. We present results of an appropriate cylindrical imaging scheme combining both methods.

Conduction-electron drift velocity measurement via electron spin resonance.

In analogy with NMR, motion induced phase shift of pulsed ESR signals enables in principle the direct detection of electron drift velocity or electronic current, respectively. Overcoming the difficulties with additional magnetic field gradients induced by the current itself, we succeeded in demonstrating the detection of electron flow via ESR. Measuring the electron drift velocity in the organic conductor (fluoranthene)2PF6 the microscopic Ohmic law could be observed in a current range of more than +/-0.

Zebralike patterned organic conductor with periodic modulation of mobility and Peierls transition.

We manipulated the defect concentration in a (fluoranthene)2PF6 crystal by proton irradiation through a periodic grid, resulting in a striped defect pattern. Spatially resolved pulsed X-band ESR analysis was used to quantify the resulting local defect concentrations, spin diffusion coefficients, and electron spin concentrations. The temperature dependence of the data proves that spin diffusion coefficient and Peierls transition can be tailored in a controlled way via the defect concentrations.

Diffusive diffraction of the local ESR pulse-gradient spin-echo signal in a restricted one-dimensional conductor.

The diffusive motion of the conducting electrons in the one-dimensional organic conductor FA2PF6 (FA, Fluoranthene) is studied with the ESR pulse-gradient spin-echo (PGSE) signal combined with spatial density ESR imaging. A local measurement of the short restricted regions reveals diffraction patterns in the local PGSE data. A model calculation adapted to the local measurements provides a highly accurate quantitative description of the results.