Home > Press > Researchers use gold film to enhance quantum sensing with qubits in a 2D material
Tongcang Li and his team at Purdue University have developed ultrathin quantum sensors with 2D materials. CREDIT Cheryl Pierce, Purdue University |
Abstract:
As recently as 2019, spin defects known as qubits were discovered in 2D materials (hexagonal boron nitride), which could amplify the field of ultrathin quantum sensing. These scientists hit a snag in their discovery that has unleashed a scientific race to resolve the issues. The sensitivity of spin qubits in hexagonal boron nitride was limited by their low brightness and the low contrast of their magnetic resonance signal. Last month, Nature Physics published an article titled “Quantum sensors go flat,” highlighting the benefits and outlining current shortfalls of this new means of sensing via qubits in 2D materials.
A team of researchers at Purdue University took on the challenge of overcoming qubit signal shortcomings in their work to develop ultrathin quantum sensors with 2D materials. Their publication in Nano Letters demonstrates that they have solved some of the critical issues and yielded better results through experimentation.
“We used a gold film to increase the brightness of spin qubits by up to 17-fold,” said Tongcang Li, associate professor of physics and astronomy and electrical and computer engineering. “The gold film supports the surface plasmon that can speed up photon emission so we can collect more photons and, hence, more signals. In addition, we improved the contrast of their magnetic resonance signal by a factor of 10 by optimizing the design of a microwave waveguide. As a result, we substantially improved the sensitivity of these spin defects for detecting magnetic field, local temperature and local pressure.”
Funding
Seed grant from Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute, DARPA Nascent Light-Matter Interactions program and the DARPA QUEST program; National Science Foundation (award No. 1839164). U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Quantum Science Center.
Brief summary of methods
The group applied a green laser and a microwave onto these spin qubits in a 2D material. The material will then emit photons with different colors (red and near-infrared) under the illumination of a green laser. The rate of photon emission depends on the magnetic field, temperature and pressure. Therefore, the brightness of these spin qubits will change when the magnetic field, temperature or pressure changes. Thus, they were able to accurately measure the magnetic field with high sensitivity.
Writer: Cheryl Pierce
Media contact: Brittany Steff,
Source: Tongcang Li,
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Brittany Steff
Purdue University
Office: 765-494-7833
Cell: 317-439-0771
Expert Contact
Tongcang Li
Purdue University
Copyright © Purdue University
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related Links |
Related News Press |
Quantum Physics
Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024
Bridging light and electrons January 12th, 2024
News and information
Researchers develop artificial building blocks of life March 8th, 2024
2 Dimensional Materials
NRL discovers two-dimensional waveguides February 16th, 2024
Possible Futures
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Quantum Computing
Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024
World’s first logical quantum processor: Key step toward reliable quantum computing December 8th, 2023
Sensors
Discoveries
What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024
Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024
High-tech 'paint' could spare patients repeated surgeries March 8th, 2024
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Announcements
What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Researchers develop artificial building blocks of life March 8th, 2024
Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024
Quantum nanoscience
Optically trapped quantum droplets of light can bind together to form macroscopic complexes March 8th, 2024
Bridging light and electrons January 12th, 2024
'Sudden death' of quantum fluctuations defies current theories of superconductivity: Study challenges the conventional wisdom of superconducting quantum transitions January 12th, 2024
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
Premium Products | ||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||