High sensitivity pressure and temperature quantum sensing in pentacene-doped p-terphenyl single crystals

Area of Science:

• Quantum Sensing
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Quantum sensors leverage environmental interactions for precise measurements.
• Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) is a key technique in quantum sensing.
• Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond are established quantum sensors but have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel molecular platform for simultaneous temperature and pressure (PT) sensing.
• To demonstrate the high sensitivity and advantages of para-terphenyl crystals doped with pentacene (PDP) for quantum sensing.
• To explore the potential of synthetic molecular design for versatile quantum sensor development.

Main Methods:

• Utilized para-terphenyl crystals doped with pentacene (PDP) as the sensing material.
• Employed optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of photoexcited triplet electron spins for interrogation.
• Performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand PT-induced molecular changes.

Main Results:

• Achieved maximal frequency variations of df/dP = 1.8 MHz/bar and df/dT = 247 kHz/K.
• Demonstrated sensitivity over 1200 times greater than nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond for pressure.
• Observed >85-fold greater pressure sensitivity than previous records.
• DFT calculations confirmed ODMR measurability of picometer-level PT-induced molecular orbital shifts.

Conclusions:

• PDP offers a low-cost, optically-interrogated quantum sensor with exceptional PT sensitivity.
• PDP exhibits advantages like high doping levels, narrow ODMR linewidths, high contrast, and cost-effective crystal growth.
• This work establishes a foundation for versatile quantum sensors through molecular design.