Quantum Sensing in Two dimensional Materials

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in quantum sensing using spin defects in two-dimensional materials like hBN, highlighting their potential for high-resolution, surface-accessible sensing of magnetic fields, strain, and temperature at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in 2D material-based quantum sensors, including defect engineering, protocols, and applications, and discusses future challenges and opportunities.

Findings

Demonstrated high-resolution sensing capabilities in 2D materials

Reviewed defect engineering techniques for improved coherence

Highlighted applications in extreme environments

Abstract

Quantum enhanced sensing exploits the coherent dynamics of two-level systems (TLSs) to achieve exceptional sensitivities and measurement precision that surpass classical detection limits. While platforms such as nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond and rare earth doped crystals have shown excellent performance, their integration with surfaces and external targets remains limited by bulk geometries. Two dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials, particularly hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), offer a compelling alternative, providing atomically thin hosts for spin defects with intrinsic surface proximity and environmental accessibility. These attributes enable high resolution sensing of magnetic fields, strain, and temperature at the nanoscale. In this Perspective, we review recent progress in quantum sensing using spin defects in hBN, including the widely studied boron vacancy (VB-) and emerging carbon related single spin centers. We summarize protocols for spin initialization, coherent manipulation, and optical readout, and highlight demonstrated applications in hybrid architectures and extreme environments and discuss advances in deterministic defect engineering, coherence preservation at the 2D limit. Finally, we discuss future opportunities and challenges in realizing scalable, robust, and multifunctional quantum sensors based on 2D materials.