A single spin in hexagonal boron nitride for vectorial quantum magnetometry

Abstract Quantum sensing based on solid-state spin defects provides a uniquely versatile platform for nanoscale magnetometry under diverse environmental conditions. Operation of most sensors used to-date is based on projective measurement along a single axis combined with computational extrapolation...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carmem M. Gilardoni, Simone Eizagirre Barker, Catherine L. Curtin, Stephanie A. Fraser, Oliver. F. J. Powell, Dillon K. Lewis, Xiaoxi Deng, Andrew J. Ramsay, Sonachand Adhikari, Chi Li, Igor Aharonovich, Hark Hoe Tan, Mete Atatüre, Hannah L. Stern
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59642-0
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Summary:Abstract Quantum sensing based on solid-state spin defects provides a uniquely versatile platform for nanoscale magnetometry under diverse environmental conditions. Operation of most sensors used to-date is based on projective measurement along a single axis combined with computational extrapolation. Here, we show that an individually addressable carbon-related spin defect in hexagonal boron nitride is a multi-axis nanoscale sensor with large dynamic range. For this spin-1 system, we demonstrate how its spin-dependent photodynamics give rise to three optically detected spin resonances that show up to 90% contrast and are not quenched under off-axis magnetic field exceeding 100 mT, enabling $$\mu \,{{\rm{T}}}/{{{\rm{Hz}}}^{-1/2}}$$ μ T / Hz − 1 / 2 sensitivity. Finally, we show how this system can be used to unambiguously determine the three components of a target magnetic field via the use of two bias fields. Alongside these features, the room-temperature operation and the nanometer-scale proximity enabled by the van der Waals host material further consolidate this system as a promising quantum sensing platform.
ISSN:2041-1723