Sub-Terahertz Spin Relaxation Dynamics of Boron-Vacancy Centers in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2507.16786v2
• Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:09:09 GMT
• Title: Sub-Terahertz Spin Relaxation Dynamics of Boron-Vacancy Centers in Hexagonal Boron Nitride
• Authors: Abhishek Bharatbhai Solanki, Yueh-Chun Wu, Hamza Ather, Priyo Adhikary, Aravindh Shankar, Ian Gallagher, Xingyu Gao, Owen M. Matthiessen, Demid Sychev, Alexei Lagoutchev, Tongcang Li, Yong P. Chen, Vladimir M. Shalaev, Benjamin Lawrie, Pramey Upadhyaya,
• Abstract summary: We show that negatively charged boron vacancies can function as relaxation-based quantum sensors operating up to 0.2 terahertz.<n>Their uniform spin-orientation and persistent spin-contrast at high fields enable direct measurement of intrinsic spin relaxation.<n>These results establish $mathrmV_B-$ centers as a versatile platform for quantum sensing in the sub-terahertz, high-field regime.
• Score: 4.30622403874957
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Quantum sensors based on spin-defect relaxation have become powerful tools for detecting faint magnetic signals, yet their operation has remained largely confined to low magnetic fields and gigahertz frequencies. Extending such sensors into high-field ($> 0.3$ T) and sub-terahertz regimes would enable quantum metrology across a wide range of electromagnetic phenomena and scientific applications, but has proven challenging. Here, we demonstrate that negatively charged boron vacancies ($\mathrm{V_B^-}$) in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride can function as relaxation-based quantum sensors operating up to 0.2 terahertz. Their uniform spin-orientation and persistent spin-contrast at high fields enable direct measurement of intrinsic spin relaxation across previously unexplored temperature and frequency regimes. We also reveal a crossover in relaxation behavior \textemdash initially decreasing at low fields before rising at higher fields \textemdash consistent with the emergence of single-phonon-induced resonant noise that becomes significant at sub-terahertz frequencies. These results establish $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ centers as a versatile platform for quantum sensing in the sub-terahertz, high-field regime.

Related papers

• Spin Relaxation Mechanisms and Nuclear Spin Entanglement of the V$_B^{-1}$ Center in hBN [0.3413711585591077]
  The negatively charged boron vacancy $V_B-$ defect in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has recently emerged as a promising spin qubit for sensing.<n>We develop a parameter-free spin dynamics model based on the cluster-expansion technique to investigate $T_B-$ relaxation mechanisms at low temperature.<n>This study establishes a reliable and scalable approach for describing $T_B-$ relaxation in $V_B-$ centers and offers microscopic insights to support future developments in nuclear-spin-based quantum technologies.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-15T17:09:22Z)
• Electrically tunable quantum interference of atomic spins on surfaces [43.73138793116028]
  We demonstrate electrical control of quantum interference using atomic spins on an insulating film in a scanning tunneling microscope.<n>We modulate the atomically-confined magnetic interaction between the probe tip and surface atoms with a strong electric field, and drive the spin state rapidly through the energy-level anticrossing.<n>Results open new avenues for all-electrical quantum manipulation in spin-based quantum processors.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-06-01T14:28:36Z)
• Identifying optimal magnetic field configurations for decoherence mitigation of boron vacancies in hexagonal boron nitride [0.0]
  boron vacancy center in 2D hexagonal boron nitride has emerged as a promising quantum sensor.<n>The nuclear spins, hyperfine coupled with the central electron spin, effectively behave as magnetic field fluctuators, leading to rapid decoherence.<n>Here, we explore the effectiveness of static magnetic field strength and orientation in realizing peculiar subspaces that can lead to enhanced spin coherence.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-05-10T09:22:14Z)
• Understanding Decoherence of the Boron Vacancy Center in Hexagonal Boron Nitride [0.0]
  Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has emerged as a significant material for quantum sensing.<n>This study employs state-of-the-art computational methods to investigate the decoherence of the V$_mathrmB-$ center in hBN.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-05-06T08:20:40Z)
• Spin Squeezing of Macroscopic Nuclear Spin Ensembles [44.99833362998488]
  Squeezing macroscopic spin ensembles may prove to be a useful technique for fundamental physics experiments.<n>We analyze the squeezing dynamics in the presence of decoherence and finite spin polarization, showing that achieving 7 dB spin squeezing is feasible in several nuclear spin systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-19T21:16:54Z)
• Continuous drive heterodyne microwave sensing with spin qubits in hexagonal boron nitride [5.658970628961091]
  We present a control scheme based on a continuous microwave drive that extends spin towards the effective $T approx 12T$ limit. The scheme achieves an amplitude sensitivity of $eta approx 3-5 :mathrmmu T sqrtHz$ and phase sensitivity of $eta_phi approx 0.076 :mathrmrads sqrtHz$.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-06-24T21:24:45Z)
• Piezoelectric microresonators for sensitive spin detection [0.0]
  Piezoelectric microresonators are indispensable in wireless communications. Surface magnetic fields ($B_1$) can be significant. We demonstrate the existence of these surface magnetic fields in a proof-of-principle experiment.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-05-03T16:14:01Z)
• Scanning spin probe based on magnonic vortex quantum cavities [0.0]
  We propose the realization of a nanoscale scanning electron paramagnetic resonance sensor using a vortex core in a thin-film disc. The vortex core can be displaced by using external magnetic fields of a few mT, enabling EPR scanning microscopy with large spatial resolution. Vortex nanocavities could also attain strong coupling to individual spin molecular qubits, with potential applications to mediate qubit-qubit interactions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-01-12T12:53:49Z)
• Thermal masses and trapped-ion quantum spin models: a self-consistent approach to Yukawa-type interactions in the $λ\!φ^4$ model [44.99833362998488]
  A quantum simulation of magnetism in trapped-ion systems makes use of the crystal vibrations to mediate pairwise interactions between spins. These interactions can be accounted for by a long-wavelength relativistic theory, where the phonons are described by a coarse-grained Klein-Gordon field. We show that thermal effects, which can be controlled by laser cooling, can unveil this flow through the appearance of thermal masses in interacting QFTs.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-10T12:59:07Z)
• A planar defect spin sensor in a two-dimensional material susceptible to strain and electric fields [0.0]
  boron-vacancy spin defect ($textV_textB-$) in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has a great potential as a quantum sensor in a two-dimensional material. We apply first principles calculations to determine the coupling of the $textV_textB-$ electronic spin to strain and electric fields.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-04-02T09:11:10Z)
• Coherent dynamics of strongly interacting electronic spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride [3.93972364832565]
  Optically active spin defects in van der Waals materials are promising platforms for modern quantum technologies. Here we investigate the coherent dynamics of strongly interacting ensembles of negatively charged boron-vacancy centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with varying defect density. Our results provide new insights on the spin and charge properties of $mathrmV_mathrmB-$, which are important for future use of defects in hBN as quantum sensors and simulators.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-10-20T18:00:00Z)
• Computational Insights into Electronic Excitations, Spin-Orbit Coupling Effects, and Spin Decoherence in Cr(IV)-based Molecular Qubits [63.18666008322476]
  We provide insights into key properties of Cr(IV)-based molecules aimed at assisting chemical design of efficient molecular qubits. We find that the sign of the uniaxial zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter is negative for all considered molecules. We quantify (super)hyperfine coupling to the $53$Cr nuclear spin and to the $13C and $1H nuclear spins.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-05-01T01:23:10Z)
• Rotating Majorana Zero Modes in a disk geometry [75.34254292381189]
  We study the manipulation of Majorana zero modes in a thin disk made from a $p$-wave superconductor. We analyze the second-order topological corner modes that arise when an in-plane magnetic field is applied. We show that oscillations persist even in the adiabatic phase because of a frequency independent coupling between zero modes and excited states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-08T11:18:50Z)
• Quantum sensitivity limits of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments searching for new fundamental physics [91.6474995587871]
  Nuclear magnetic resonance is a promising experimental approach to search for ultra-light axion-like dark matter. We consider a circuit model of a magnetic resonance experiment and quantify three noise sources: spin-projection noise, thermal noise, and amplifier noise.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-03-10T19:00:02Z)
• Coherent dynamics of multi-spin $\rm V_B^-$ centers in hexagonal boron nitride [0.1974489615147186]
  We demonstrate and study the Rabi oscillation and related dynamical phenomena of the negatively charged boron vacancy ($rm V_B-$) spins in hBN. In the former case the defect behaves like a single electron spin system, while in the latter case it behaves like a multi-spin system exhibiting the multiple-frequency dynamical oscillation like clear beat in Ramsey. We also carry out theoretical simulations for the spin dynamics of $rm V_B-$ and reveal that the nuclear spins can be driven via the strong electric-nuclear coupling existing in $rm V_B-$ center.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-01-27T06:10:02Z)
• $\mathcal{P}$,$\mathcal{T}$-odd effects for RaOH molecule in the excited vibrational state [77.34726150561087]
  Triatomic molecule RaOH combines the advantages of laser-coolability and the spectrum with close opposite-parity doublets. We obtain the rovibrational wave functions of RaOH in the ground electronic state and excited vibrational state using the close-coupled equations derived from the adiabatic Hamiltonian.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-12-15T17:08:33Z)
• Ferromagnetic Gyroscopes for Tests of Fundamental Physics [49.853792068336034]
  A ferromagnetic gyroscope (FG) is a ferromagnet whose angular momentum is dominated by electron spin polarization and that will precess under the action of an external torque. We model and analyze FG dynamics and sensitivity, focusing on practical schemes for experimental realization.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-10-17T07:13:50Z)
• Electrically tuned hyperfine spectrum in neutral Tb(II)(Cp$^{\rm{iPr5}}$)$_2$ single-molecule magnet [64.10537606150362]
  Both molecular electronic and nuclear spin levels can be used as qubits. In solid state systems with dopants, an electric field was shown to effectively change the spacing between the nuclear spin qubit levels. This hyperfine Stark effect may be useful for applications of molecular nuclear spins for quantum computing.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-07-31T01:48:57Z)
• Hyperfine and quadrupole interactions for Dy isotopes in DyPc$_2$ molecules [77.57930329012771]
  Nuclear spin levels play an important role in understanding magnetization dynamics and implementation and control of quantum bits in lanthanide-based single-molecule magnets. We investigate the hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole interactions for $161$Dy and $163$Dy nucleus in anionic DyPc$.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-02-12T18:25:31Z)
• Temporal and spectral fingerprints of ultrafast all-coherent spin switching [0.0]
  terahertz pulses allow coherent navigation of spins over a potential barrier. Spin states can be selected by an external magnetic bias. Switchable spin states can be selected by an external magnetic bias.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-01-17T12:03:45Z)
• Optimal coupling of HoW$_{10}$ molecular magnets to superconducting circuits near spin clock transitions [85.83811987257297]
  We study the coupling of pure and magnetically diluted crystals of HoW$_10$ magnetic clusters to microwave superconducting coplanar waveguides. Results show that engineering spin-clock states of molecular systems offers a promising strategy to combine sizeable spin-photon interactions with a sufficient isolation from unwanted magnetic noise sources.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2019-11-18T11:03:06Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.