Purdue University researchers have created a groundbreaking new technology using one-dimensional boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) containing spin qubits, or spin defects. These BNNTs are more sensitive in detecting off-axis magnetic fields at high resolution compared to traditional diamond tips used in scanning probe magnetic-field microscopes. This innovation has the potential to enable quantum sensing of phenomena at the atomic scale, with applications in quantum computing, magnetic resonance imaging, and the semiconductor industry.
Detection of Weak Magnetic Fields
The primary novelty of this work is the realization of BNNT spin qubits with enhanced sensitivity to in-plane magnetic fields compared to their diamond NV center counter parts. While diamond tips are mostly sensitive to magnetic fields that run parallel to their axis, the BNNT spin qubits can sense a field in any direction.
The advantage of this omnidirectional sensitivity is clear that would result in comprehensive and accurate magnetic field mapping. Using a laboratory system that they built, targeted experiments led the researchers to find that BNNT spin qubits worked just as well as diamond tips in the initial proof of concept. Although the BNNTs are worlds smaller in volume than the diamond tips (just a few atomic layers thick), they will produce even higher performance and spatial resolution with further development, the researchers say.
Cost-Effective and Resilient
Besides their assurance for the best magnetic field sensing in a solid material, as we will see below, these BNNT spin qubits hold many other intriguing features. It is cheaper to manufacture compared to traditional diamond tips, which are expensive and brittle. Indeed it is resistant to rupture, therefore; the BNNTS can be used in environments that are more robusted and less fragile, which give a practical uses.
The researchers believe that these BNNT spin qubits will ultimately be useful in a number of applications — from quantum sensing technology and nanoscale MRI to industrial semiconductor process control. By being able to control the individual electrons within a material, BNNT-based spin qubits would dramatically increase the ability to sense materials at an even smaller scale leading to ground-breaking discoveries in nanomaterials-themed fields such as condensed matter physics, novel nano-electronics and quantum measurements for biology.
Quantum Sensing Breakthroughs Coming Soon
This work is a major milestone in the development of better functioning quantum sensing technology, one that when more fully realized could be used to transform fields as diverse as brain science and drug discovery. In doing so, these Purdue researchers have broken a long-standing barrier in the field of diamond-based sensors to realize more accurate and multifunctional magnetic field sensing.
In the long term, this breakthrough could have applications ranging from more sophisticated semiconductor production to better medical imaging. They also intend to develop the BNNT spin qubit system even further in order to raise the spatial resolution and magnetic field sensitivity higher. With ongoing research to do better in quantum sensing the Purdue researchers are on target to make significant results that will spark revolutions in industries and sciences.
