Electric dipole spin resonance

Electric dipole spin resonance is like playing with a toy top. When we spin a top, it keeps spinning until it slows down and stops. Similarly, when we apply a magnetic field to tiny particles called electrons that are spinning in some materials, they keep spinning until they flip and slow down. We can detect this flipping process and learn more about the material properties.

For a more detailed explanation, when we apply an external magnetic field to a material, the electrons in the material precess around the magnetic field direction like a top. However, if we apply an oscillating magnetic field of the right frequency and tune it with the spinning of the electrons, then the electrons can absorb the energy from the oscillating magnetic field and flip their spins. This energy absorption process depends on the magnetic moment of the electrons, which is a measure of how much the electron spins and how it interacts with the magnetic field.

This flipping of electron spins creates a small electric current that can be detected and measured. By tuning the frequency of the oscillating magnetic field, we can detect the resonant frequency at which most of the electrons absorb energy and flip their spins. This technique is used in science to study the properties of materials, such as their chemical composition, crystal structure, and magnetic interactions.

In summary, electric dipole spin resonance is like playing with a toy top, where we study the spinning of electrons in a material using an external magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field, and detect the resonant frequency at which most of the electrons flip their spins.