New Quantum Sensors Withstand Extreme Pressure, Unlocking New Frontiers in Physics

Published on Quantum Server Networks – Exploring Innovations in Quantum and Materials Science

Quantum sensors under extreme pressure

Measuring the quantum world is hard enough—but probing it under immense pressures is an even greater challenge. Now, physicists from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), working with colleagues at Harvard University, have unveiled a breakthrough: quantum sensors crafted from ultra-thin sheets of boron nitride that can withstand pressures over 30,000 times atmospheric pressure. Their study, published in Nature Communications, paves the way for exploring extreme states of matter relevant to quantum technology, materials science, geology, and astrophysics (Phys.org article).

Why High-Pressure Quantum Sensing Matters

Understanding how materials behave under extreme conditions is vital for both fundamental physics and practical technology. Pressures like those found deep within the Earth’s core or inside massive planets can dramatically alter electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of matter. However, conventional sensors often fail under such forces.

The WashU team’s new devices overcome this by embedding quantum defects into two-dimensional boron nitride. These defects trap electrons whose spin states are exquisitely sensitive to magnetism, stress, and temperature. By monitoring these spins, scientists can gain direct insights into how materials respond at pressures far beyond what traditional techniques allow.

From Diamonds to Boron Nitride: A Materials Leap

Previous quantum sensors relied on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds, a powerful but limited approach. Because diamonds are three-dimensional, placing sensors close to the material under study is difficult. In contrast, atomically thin boron nitride brings the sensor within a nanometer of the target, offering unprecedented sensitivity.

To test their resilience, researchers placed the sensors between two diamond anvils, each just 400 micrometers across, capable of generating massive pressure when squeezed together. Remarkably, the sensors remained stable and detected subtle magnetic changes in a two-dimensional magnet, proving their robustness and versatility.

Applications Across Science and Technology

The potential uses of these extreme-condition sensors are vast:

  • Earth and planetary science – Probing the behavior of deep-Earth minerals could shed light on earthquake dynamics and planetary interiors.
  • Superconductivity – Many candidate superconductors require high pressure. These sensors can help resolve debates about room-temperature superconductivity claims by delivering reliable quantum-level data.
  • Quantum materials – Understanding how correlated electron systems behave under stress may accelerate the design of novel quantum devices.
  • Astronomy and astrophysics – Insights into matter at extreme pressures may help model the physics of dense stellar objects.

As Prof. Chong Zu, lead author, explains: “We’re the first to develop this type of high-pressure sensor. It could have wide applications in quantum technology, materials science, astronomy, and geology.”

A Platform for Future Discovery

The boron nitride sensors highlight how advances at the nanoscale can unlock entirely new scientific frontiers. With their ability to function under crushing forces while maintaining quantum sensitivity, they represent a powerful new tool for both applied research and fundamental discovery. As the field of quantum sensing rapidly expands, innovations like this bring us closer to unraveling mysteries of matter under the most extreme conditions in nature.

Original research article: Phys.org – New quantum sensors can withstand extreme pressure

This blog article was prepared with the help of AI technologies to enhance clarity, accessibility, and global outreach.

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#QuantumSensors #ExtremePressure #BoronNitride #QuantumTechnology #Superconductivity #MaterialsScience #Geophysics #Astrophysics #Nanotechnology #QuantumServerNetworks

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