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Non-invasive bioinert room-temperature quantum sensor from silicon carbide qubits.
Pei Li1,2,3, Ji-Yang Zhou4,5,6, Song Li2,3
1School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China.
Nature Materials
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new quantum sensor using silicon carbide divacancy qubits for sensitive, room-temperature biological sensing. This bioinert semiconductor platform offers stable operation and near-infrared readout, advancing quantum sensing and bioimaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Quantum sensing
- Materials science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Room-temperature quantum sensors are crucial for biological applications like bioimaging and nanoscale sensing.
- Existing quantum sensors often face challenges with stability and interaction with biological environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable, highly sensitive room-temperature quantum sensor suitable for biological applications.
- To leverage silicon carbide's properties for enhanced quantum sensing capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing alkene-terminated silicon carbide hosting shallow divacancy qubits.
- Operating the quantum sensor under ambient conditions with near-infrared wavelength readout.
- Demonstrating multiple quantum sensor schemes with tailored surface functionalization.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable operation of divacancy qubits in silicon carbide near the surface.
- Demonstrated superior sensitivity and favorable properties for biological environments.
- Confirmed near-infrared readout minimizes absorption by biological molecules and water.
Conclusions:
- The developed silicon carbide divacancy qubit system offers a promising platform for advanced room-temperature quantum sensing.
- The bioinert nature and existing chip technology of silicon carbide facilitate practical bioimaging and sensing applications.
- This work paves the way for quantum simulation and optoelectronic devices.
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