Room-temperature optically detected magnetic resonance of single defects in hexagonal boron nitride

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates room-temperature optically detected magnetic resonance from single defects in hexagonal boron nitride, revealing their potential for quantum technologies and on-chip quantum devices.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of ODMR in single defects in hBN, showing strong contrast and magnetic-field dependence, advancing quantum defect research in 2D materials.

Findings

Single-defect ODMR contrast up to 6%

Magnetic-field dependence with bipolar contrast

Doublet resonance lineshape indicating hyperfine interactions

Abstract

Optically addressable spins in materials are important platforms for quantum technologies, such as repeaters and sensors. Identification of such systems in two-dimensional (2d) layered materials offers advantages over their bulk counterparts, as their reduced dimensionality enables more feasible on-chip integration into devices. Here, we report optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) from previously identified carbon-related defects in 2d hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We show that single-defect ODMR contrast can be as strong as 6% and displays a magnetic-field dependence with both positive or negative sign per defect. This bipolarity can shed light into low contrast reported recently for ensemble ODMR measurements for these defects. Further, the ODMR lineshape comprises a doublet resonance, suggesting either low zero-field splitting or hyperfine coupling. Our results offer a promising route towards realising a room-temperature spin-photon quantum interface in hexagonal boron nitride.