2025/04/13 by Melendez, Alex L., Gong, Ruotian, He, Guanghui +14
#FOS: Physical sciences #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2504.09432
Spin defects in solids offer promising platforms for quantum sensing and memory due to their long coherence times and compatibility with quantum networks. Here, we integrate a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond with scanning probe microscopy to discover, read out, and spatially map arbitrary spin-based quantum sensors at the nanoscale. Using the boron vacancy (VB-) center in hexagonal boron nitride\unicodex2013an emerging two-dimensional spin system\unicodex2013as a model, we detect its electron spin resonance indirectly via changes in the spin relaxation time (T1) of a nearby NV center, eliminating the need for optical excitation or fluorescence detection of the VB-. Cross-relaxation between NV and VB- ensembles significantly reduces NV T1, enabling quantitative nanoscale mapping of defect densities beyond the optical diffraction limit and clear resolution of hyperfine splitting in isotopically enriched h10B15N. Our method demonstrates interactions between 3D and 2D spin sensors, establishing NV centers as versatile probes for characterizing otherwise inaccessible spin defects.