local measurements under pressure are essential with the help of quantum sensors.
Quantum Sensors with Boron-Vacancy Centers Boost High-Pressure Science
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What Are Boron-Vacancy Centers and Why Do They Matter?
Quantum Sensors are revolutionizing the field of quantum sensing technologies, which are transforming how scientists study materials under extreme conditions. A recent breakthrough involves the use of Quantum Sensors with boron-vacancy (VB-) centers in a material called hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). These tiny defects in the atomic structure act like sensitive probes that can detect both pressure and magnetic fields at very small scales.
This innovation is particularly exciting because VB- centers are just a few nanometers thick since hBN is a two-dimensional layered material. This means sensors made from them can be placed extremely close to what they’re measuring. As a result, sensitivity greatly increases compared to traditional sensors such as nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. This property opens new doors for studying complex phenomena where precise, local measurements under pressure are essential with the help of quantum sensors.
Also Read: Graphene Material becomes more Flexible
Quantum Sensors with Boron-Vacancy: The NEW Experimental Design for High Pressure Environments
The team created these sensors by transferring thin flakes of isotopically pure hBN containing VB- centers onto the flat surface of a diamond anvil cell’s culet. This setup compresses samples to very high pressures. Inside this setup, they used microwaves to control the spin states of the VB- centers while shining light on them to read out signals – this method is called optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR).
This system allowed researchers to study how pressure affects the spin energy levels of VB-. They observed that increasing pressure shifts these energy levels significantly more than similar sensors made from diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers. The shift was almost three times more. This makes VB-s, aided by quantum sensors, ideal for sensitive pressure sensing inside harsh environments.
Also Read: 3D Sensing Technology and Multisensor Fusion.
Sensing Stress and Magnetism Together
An important feature revealed by this research is that Quantum Sensors with boron vacancy centers can measure both mechanical stress and magnetic fields simultaneously. This dual capability lets scientists map out stress distributions inside the pressure chamber. It also allows them to study changes in magnetism caused by pressure on different materials. For example, they tracked how applying pressure changed a van der Waals ferromagnet’s magnetic properties. They observed a transition from magnetic to non-magnetic behavior near 0.5 GPa, showcasing the versatility of quantum sensors.
Also Read: Boron and its applications in Rocket Propulsion.
The Impact on Future Technology and Research
The atomic-thin nature of hBN sensors suggests exciting possibilities for integrating these into next-generation electronics. This integration can occur through advanced 3D integration techniques. Such quantum sensors with boron vacancy centers could one day help build ultra-sensitive devices applicable not just in academic research but also industry sectors needing precise monitoring under extreme conditions.
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Reference:
- He, G., Gong, R., Wang, Z., Liu, Z., Hong, J., Zhang, T., Riofrio, A. L., Rehfuss, Z., Chen, M., Yao, C., Poirier, T., Ye, B., Wang, X., Ran, S., Edgar, J. H., Zhang, S., Yao, N. Y., & Zu, C. (2025). Probing stress and magnetism at high pressures with two-dimensional quantum sensors. Nature Communications, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63535-7
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I’m a web developer and science writer with a Master’s degree in Computer Applications (MCA) from Pune University.
I work in tech, building websites and staying updated with the latest developments. I also love writing about physics, chemistry, technology, robotics, mathematics, and breakthrough innovations. My passion is breaking down complex scientific topics into simple, easy-to-understand stories.
My goal is to help everyone stay informed about the exciting changes happening in science and technology. I believe understanding science shouldn’t be complicated—it should be accessible to all.
- Author
- Latest Posts
I’m a web developer and science writer with a Master’s degree in Computer Applications (MCA) from Pune University.
I work in tech, building websites and staying updated with the latest developments. I also love writing about physics, chemistry, technology, robotics, mathematics, and breakthrough innovations. My passion is breaking down complex scientific topics into simple, easy-to-understand stories.
My goal is to help everyone stay informed about the exciting changes happening in science and technology. I believe understanding science shouldn’t be complicated—it should be accessible to all.
