Optically Addressable Molecular Spins at 2D Surfaces

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2601.19988v1
• Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:00:06 GMT
• Title: Optically Addressable Molecular Spins at 2D Surfaces
• Authors: Xuankai Zhou, Yan-Tung Kong, Cheuk Kit Cheung, Guodong Bian, Reda Moukaouine, King Cho Wong, Yumeng Sun, Cheng-I Ho, Vladislav Bushmakin, Nils Gross, Chun-Chieh Yen, Tim Priessnitz, Malik Lenger, Sreehari Jayaram, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenji Watanabe, Anton Pershin, Ruoming Peng, Ádám Gali, Jurgen Smet, Jörg Wrachtrup,
• Abstract summary: Quantum spin sensors directly on top of the surface provide atomic resolution and quantum-limited sensitivity.<n>We demonstrate a hybrid molecular-2D architecture that realizes quantum spin sensors directly on top of the surface.<n>These molecular spins form surface quantum sensors with long coherence, optical addressability, and interfacial versatility.
• Score: 1.5335369857810033
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Optically addressable spins at material surfaces have represented a long-standing ambition in quantum sensing, providing atomic resolution and quantum-limited sensitivity. However, they are constrained by a finite depth at which the quantum spins can be stabilized. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid molecular-2D architecture that realizes quantum spin sensors directly on top of the surface. By anchoring spin-active molecules onto hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), we eliminate the depth of the quantum sensor while also exhibiting robust spin properties from 4~K to room temperature (RT). The Hahn-echo spin coherence time exceeds \(T_2 = 3.4~\upmu\text{s}\) at 4~K, outperforming values in bulk organic crystals and overturning the prevailing expectation that spin inevitably deteriorates upon approaching the surface. By chemically tuning the molecule through deuteration, \(T_2\) improves by more than 10-fold, and under dynamic decoupling, coherence is prolonged to the intrinsic lifetime limit, exceeding 300~\(\upmu\text{s}\). Proximal proton spins and the magnetic response of two-dimensional magnets beneath the hBN layer have been detected at RT. These molecular spins form surface quantum sensors with long coherence, optical addressability, and interfacial versatility, enabling a scalable, adaptable architecture beyond what conventional solid-state platforms offer.

Related papers

• Long-Lived Mechanically-Detected Molecular Spins for Quantum Sensing [0.9368753183086049]
  Quantum sensors based on individual spins provide unprecedented access to local magnetic fields in condensed matter, chemistry, and biology.<n>We present a nanoscale sensing platform that combines molecular electron spins, ultrasensitive mechanical readout, and Hamiltonian engineering.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-03-05T01:18:10Z)
• A Surface-Scaffolded Molecular Qubit [6.162363270034191]
  We introduce a surface molecular qubit formed by pentacene molecules scaffolded on a two-dimensional (2D) material, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)<n>The qubit exhibits stable fluorescence and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) from cryogenic to ambient conditions.<n>This platform combines true surface integration, long qubit coherence, and scalable fabrication, opening routes to quantum sensing, quantum simulation, and hybrid quantum devices.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-01-27T19:00:00Z)
• Single-molecule Scale Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy using a Robust Near-Infrared Spin Sensor [13.76409657225493]
  We show that PL6 quantum defect in 4H silicon carbide (4H-SiC) can serve as a robust near-infrared spin sensor.<n>This sensor operates at tissue-transparent wavelengths and exhibits exceptional near-surface stability even at depth of 2 nm.<n>This work establishes 4H-SiC quantum sensors as a compelling platform for nanoscale magnetic resonance.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-11T04:37:42Z)
• Robust AC vector sensing at zero magnetic field with pentacene [45.7221176995052]
  Quantum sensors based on electronic spins have emerged as powerful probes of microwave-frequency fields.<n>Here, we demonstrate microwave vector magnetometry using the photoexcited spin triplet of pentacene molecules.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-06T03:49:12Z)
• Quantum sensing with a spin ensemble in a two-dimensional material [7.451972620139387]
  We present a framework to probe a novel 2D spin ensemble in 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) crystal.<n>We achieve a record coherence time of 80 $mu$s and nanotesla-level AC magnetic sensitivity at a 10 nm target distance.<n>These results lay the foundation for next-generation quantum sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity, tunable noise selectivity, and versatile quantum functionalities.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-10T20:29:54Z)
• Coherent Spins in van der Waals Semiconductor GeS2 at Ambient Conditions [3.6556891084572203]
  Optically active spin defects in van der Waals (vdW) materials have emerged as versatile quantum sensors.<n>This work will help expand the field of quantum sensing with spin defects in van der Waals materials.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-07T15:45:10Z)
• Dipolar quantum solids emerging in a Hubbard quantum simulator [45.82143101967126]
  Long-range and anisotropic interactions promote rich spatial structure in quantum mechanical many-body systems. We show that novel strongly correlated quantum phases can be realized using long-range dipolar interaction in optical lattices. This work opens the door to quantum simulations of a wide range of lattice models with long-range and anisotropic interactions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-01T16:49:20Z)
• Sensing of magnetic field effects in radical-pair reactions using a quantum sensor [50.591267188664666]
  Magnetic field effects (MFE) in certain chemical reactions have been well established in the last five decades. We employ elaborate and realistic models of radical-pairs, considering its coupling to the local spin environment and the sensor. For two model systems, we derive signals of MFE detectable even in the weak coupling regime between radical-pair and NV quantum sensor.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-09-28T12:56:15Z)
• Relativistic aspects of orbital and magnetic anisotropies in the chemical bonding and structure of lanthanide molecules [60.17174832243075]
  We study the electronic and ro-vibrational states of heavy homonuclear lanthanide Er2 and Tm2 molecules by applying state-of-the-art relativistic methods. We were able to obtain reliable spin-orbit and correlation-induced splittings between the 91 Er2 and 36 Tm2 electronic potentials dissociating to two ground-state atoms.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-07-06T15:34:00Z)
• Chemical tuning of spin clock transitions in molecular monomers based on nuclear spin-free Ni(II) [52.259804540075514]
  We report the existence of a sizeable quantum tunnelling splitting between the two lowest electronic spin levels of mononuclear Ni complexes. The level anti-crossing, or magnetic clock transition, associated with this gap has been directly monitored by heat capacity experiments. The comparison of these results with those obtained for a Co derivative, for which tunnelling is forbidden by symmetry, shows that the clock transition leads to an effective suppression of intermolecular spin-spin interactions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-03-04T13:31:40Z)
• Room Temperature Coherent Control of Spin Defects in hexagonal Boron Nitride [0.0]
  Optically active defects in solids with accessible spin states are promising candidates for solid state quantum information and sensing applications. We realize coherent control of ensembles of boron vacancy centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) Our results are important for employment of van der Waals materials for quantum technologies.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-10-23T16:31:37Z)
• Quantum coherent spin-electric control in a molecular nanomagnet at clock transitions [57.50861918173065]
  Electrical control of spins at the nanoscale offers architectural advantages in spintronics. Recent demonstrations of electric-field (E-field) sensitivities in molecular spin materials are tantalising. E-field sensitivities reported so far are rather weak, prompting the question of how to design molecules with stronger spin-electric couplings.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-05-03T09:27:31Z)

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.