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Sensing spin wave excitations by spin defects in few-layer-thick hexagonal boron nitride
Jingcheng Zhou1, Hanyi Lu2, Di Chen3,4
1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
Science Advances
|May 1, 2024
Summary
Boron vacancy spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride nanoflakes detect spin waves in Yttrium Iron Garnet. This advance in quantum sensing enables new applications in condensed matter physics and quantum technologies.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Sensing
- Materials Science
Background:
- Optically active spin defects in wide bandgap semiconductors are valuable local sensors.
- Van der Waals (vdW) quantum materials offer new platforms for quantum sensing.
- Magnetic insulators like Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) exhibit complex spin dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate direct measurement of spin waves in YIG using spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).
- To explore the interaction mechanisms between YIG magnons and hBN spin defects.
- To highlight the potential of vdW materials for advanced quantum sensing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing boron vacancy ([Formula: see text]) spin defects in few-layer hBN nanoflakes.
- Employing optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements.
- Investigating ferromagnetic resonance and parametric spin excitations in YIG.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected spin waves in YIG using hBN spin defects under various conditions.
- Observed off-resonant dipole interaction mediated by multi-magnon scattering.
- Demonstrated the sensitivity of [Formula: see text] defects to magnetic excitations.
Conclusions:
- Quantum spin defects in 2D vdW materials are effective probes of local spin dynamics.
- This technique opens avenues for quantum sensing, computing, and metrology.
- Highlights the potential of hBN as a platform for studying magnetic phenomena.
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