Nanoscale Quantum Sensors Arranged with Precision on Desired Targets

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have successfully arranged quantum sensors at a nanoscale to detect extremely small variations in magnetic fields. The high-resolution quantum sensors have potential uses in quantum materials and electronic device research, including developing hard disks that use nano-magnetic materials as storage elements. The researchers used boron vacancies or lattice defects in the two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride to create nano-sized quantum sensors on the surface of the measurement target. The boron vacancy defect acts as an atom-sized quantum sensor for magnetic field measurements, behaving like a nano-sized “magnetic needle”.