Single nuclear spin detection and control in a van der Waals material.

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Materials Science
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Optically active spin defects in solids are crucial for quantum sensing and networking.
• Single spin defects have been identified in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a 2D material ideal for atomic-scale quantum sensing.
• The chemical structures of hBN spin defects and their interaction with nuclear spins remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and characterize single spin defects in hBN.
• To identify the chemical structures of these defects.
• To demonstrate atomic-scale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and coherent control of nuclear spins using hBN spin defects.

Main Methods:

• Creation of single spin defects in hBN via 13C ion implantation.
• Characterization of defect types using hyperfine interactions.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to propose defect structures.

Main Results:

• Identification of three distinct hBN spin defect types.
• Observation of both S=1/2 and S=1 spin states within a single defect.
• Demonstration of atomic-scale NMR and coherent control of individual nuclear spins with high fidelity (up to 99.75%) at room temperature.

Conclusions:

• Proposed chemical structures for hBN spin defects based on experimental and theoretical analysis.
• Advancement in understanding single spin defects in hBN.
• Establishment of a pathway for enhanced quantum sensing using hBN spin defects coupled with nuclear spins as quantum memories.