Development of High-Sensitivity Cantilever-Detected ESR Measurement Using a Fiber-Optic Interferometer

Cantilever-detected high-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) is a powerful method of sub-terahertz and terahertz ESR spectroscopy for a tiny magnetic sample at low temperature. In this technique, a small magnetization change associated with ESR transition is detected as deflection of a sample-mounted cantilever. So far, we have succeeded in ESR detection at 370 GHz using a commercial piezoresistive microcantilever. The spin sensitivity was estimated to ${\sim}10^{12}$ spins/gauss. In order to further increase the sensitivity, we adopt a fiber-optic-based detection system using a Fabry-Perot interferometer in place of piezoresistive system. Fabry-Perot cavity is formed between an optical-fiber end and microcantilever surface, and a change in the interference signal, corresponding to the cantilever deflection, is sensitively detected. This system is suitable for low-temperature and high-magnetic-field experiments because of its compact setup and less heat dissipation. In this study, performance of Fabry-Perot interferometer is evaluated, and its application to cantilever-detected ESR measurement is described.