The world of quantum physics is inherently mysterious, but what happens when subatomic particles are subjected to immense pressure? It turns out that observing quantum effects in a pressured environment is not an easy task, primarily because designing sensors that can withstand extreme forces is highly challenging.Recently, a team of physicists from the University of Washington (St. Louis) achieved a significant breakthrough—they developed a quantum sensor embedded in a robust boron nitride crystal. This sensor can measure the stress and magnetism of materials in extreme pressure environments (pressures exceeding 30,000 times atmospheric pressure).
Chong Zu, an assistant professor of physics and a member of the university’s Quantum Leap Center, stated: “We are the first team to develop such high-pressure sensors. They have broad application prospects in quantum technology, materials science, astronomy, geology, and more.”The team published their research findings in the journal Nature Communications. To fabricate this sensor, they used a neutron radiation beam to bombard boron atoms in the boron nitride sheet. The resulting vacancies immediately capture electrons. Due to quantum-level interactions, the spin energy of these electrons changes with the surrounding material’s magnetism, stress, temperature, and other properties. By tracking each electron’s spin state, researchers can gain insights into the quantum-level characteristics of the materials studied.Chong Zu and his colleagues previously created quantum sensors by generating vacancies in diamonds, which supported two quantum diamond microscopes at the University of Washington. Although diamond sensors perform well, they have a drawback: because diamonds are three-dimensional structures, it is challenging to place the sensor close to the material being studied.In contrast, boron nitride sheets can be less than 100 nanometers thick, about 1/1000 the thickness of a human hair. Chong Zu noted: “Since the material where the sensor is located is essentially two-dimensional, the distance between the sensor and the material being measured is less than 1 nanometer (one billionth of a meter).”However, diamonds still play a crucial role. Guanghui He explained: “To measure materials in high-pressure environments, we need to place them on a platform that won’t break.” As the hardest material in nature, diamonds perfectly meet this requirement.Guanghui He and other members of the lab created a “diamond anvil”—two flat diamond surfaces, each about 400 micrometers wide, roughly the width of four dust particles, which press against each other in a high-pressure chamber.Guanghui He explained: “The simplest way to create high pressure is to apply immense force over a small area.”Tests have shown that this new type of sensor can detect subtle changes in the magnetic field of two-dimensional magnets. Next, the researchers plan to test other materials, including rock samples that exist under high-pressure conditions similar to those in the Earth’s core.Chong Zu stated: “Measuring how these rocks respond to pressure will help us better understand earthquakes and other large geological activities.”
Figure: A 2D sensor compressed between two diamond anvilsSource: Chong ZuThis sensor may also advance superconductivity research—superconductivity is the property of materials to conduct electricity without resistance. Currently, known superconductors require extremely high pressures and low temperatures to achieve superconductivity. There have been claims that certain materials can achieve superconductivity at room temperature, but this view is highly controversial. Ruotian Gong, the co-first author of the paper, stated: “With this type of sensor, we can collect the necessary data to settle this controversy.”Chong Zu remarked: “Now that we have this type of sensor, high-pressure chambers, and diamond anvils, we will have more opportunities for exploration in the future.”Reference link
https://phys.org/news/2025-09-quantum-sensors-extreme-pressure.html
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