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Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
Multi-species optically addressable spin defects in a van der Waals material
Sam C Scholten1,2,3, Priya Singh1, Alexander J Healey1
1School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hosts interacting spin defects for quantum technologies. This study demonstrates room-temperature control and readout of two spin types, enabling novel quantum sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Quantum technologies
- Materials science
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Two-dimensional van der Waals materials offer a platform for quantum technologies.
- Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) hosts optically addressable spin defects.
- Simultaneously addressing multiple spin species in a single material is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the interplay between different spin species in hBN.
- To reveal the properties of carbon-related spin defects in hBN.
- To establish hBN as a versatile platform for room-temperature quantum technologies.
Main Methods:
- Optical spectroscopy
- Coherent spin control
- Cross-relaxation measurements
- Magnetic imaging
Main Results:
- Demonstrated interplay between S=1 boron vacancy defects and S=1/2 carbon-related electron spins in hBN.
- Achieved room-temperature coherent control and optical readout of both spin species.
- Observed cross-relaxation indicating strong inter-species dipolar coupling.
- Utilized S=1/2 defects for magnetic imaging and probing magnetic anisotropy.
Conclusions:
- hBN hosts multiple, interacting spin defects suitable for quantum applications.
- Room-temperature coherent control and readout of different spin species are achievable in hBN.
- hBN is a promising van der Waals material for developing advanced quantum sensors and simulators.
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