In the enigmatic realm of quantum physics, where the behaviors of subatomic particles challenge our classical intuitions, a new frontier has been breached with the development of quantum sensors capable of functioning under extraordinary pressure. Traditionally, probing quantum phenomena under such extreme physical conditions has been hindered by the limitations of sensor materials, which cannot withstand the intense forces encountered. However, a pioneering team of physicists at Washington University in St. Louis has now engineered resilient quantum sensors embedded within an ultra-thin, crystallized sheet of boron nitride, enabling unprecedented measurements at pressures exceeding 30,000 times that of Earth’s atmosphere.
This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in high-pressure quantum measurement technologies. By integrating quantum sensors into a two-dimensional material matrix, the researchers have circumvented the structural and functional vulnerabilities that plagued earlier sensor designs. Dr. Chong Zu, assistant professor of physics and lead investigator, emphasizes the broad implications of this innovation. “Developing high-pressure quantum sensors opens new avenues across multiple scientific disciplines, from condensed matter physics and quantum information science to geophysics and cosmology,” Zu explains, alluding to applications as diverse as material characterization and planetary interior studies.
The crux of this advancement lies in the creation of atomic-scale vacancies within boron nitride sheets. Neutron radiation was employed to dislodge boron atoms, producing localized sites where electrons become trapped. These trapped electrons exhibit spin states that are exquisitely sensitive to their quantum environment. Variations in magnetic fields, mechanical stress, and temperature modulate the electron spins, allowing these sensors to extract a wealth of quantum-level information from the material under scrutiny. This delicate interplay between electron spin states and their surroundings is harnessed to probe the quantum attributes of materials subjected to colossal pressure.
Such an approach contrasts strikingly with earlier quantum sensors fabricated in bulk diamond crystals. While diamond-based sensors harness nitrogen-vacancy centers effectively and have powered WashU’s quantum diamond microscopes, their three-dimensional nature restricts proximity to measured materials, often limiting resolution and sensitivity. Boron nitride sheets, by contrast, are astonishingly thin—often less than 100 nanometers thick, or nearly a thousandfold thinner than a single strand of human hair. This two-dimensionality places the sensor surface within a nanometer of the sample, significantly enhancing sensitivity to subtle quantum phenomena.
Despite these advantages, the application of such sensors in extreme high-pressure environments demands a robust platform capable of enduring tremendous forces. Diamonds, renowned as the hardest natural material, fulfill this role by serving as “diamond anvils” — precision-engineered, flat diamond surfaces that compress samples inside specialized chambers. This system enables the generation of ultra-high pressures by focusing enormous force onto minuscule areas, effectively mimicking conditions found deep within planetary cores. The integration of boron nitride sensors on diamond anvils neatly combines sensitivity with structural endurance.
Preliminary experiments have demonstrated the sensor’s proficiency in detecting minute shifts in the magnetic fields of two-dimensional magnets. This capability is particularly significant for exploring novel quantum materials, whose magnetic properties often evolve under applied pressure. Future research plans include the investigation of geological specimens replicating Earth’s deep interior environment, which can yield critical insights into seismic phenomena such as earthquakes by revealing how rocks respond to extreme compression.
Moreover, these robust quantum sensors could revolutionize the study of superconductivity—a quantum state where materials conduct electricity without resistance. Currently, achieving superconductivity demands difficult-to-attain conditions of ultra-low temperature and very high pressure, restricting practical applications. Controversies persist around claims of room-temperature superconductors, many of which hinge on ambiguous or incomplete data. Professor Ruotian “Reginald” Gong, co-first author of the study, notes that the precision offered by these sensors will be crucial in providing definitive measurements, potentially settling longstanding debates within the superconductivity community.
The interdisciplinary nature of this achievement is further underscored by the collaborative framework that made it possible. Supported in part by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship grant fostering university partnerships, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from WashU worked alongside Harvard physicist Norman Yao, co-author of the study, to blend expertise in quantum sensing and high-pressure apparatus design. This cooperation exemplifies the growing trend of integrating technical skill sets across institutional boundaries to push scientific frontiers.
From a technical standpoint, the use of neutron irradiation to tailor vacancy defects within boron nitride represents an elegant and controllable method for sensor fabrication. Neutron beams provide the energy required to selectively remove boron atoms without compromising the overall structural integrity of the material. The electrons trapped in these vacancy sites then serve as quantum probes, whose spin resonance characteristics can be read out to yield precision measurements of environmental parameters at nanoscale resolution. This fine-grained control over quantum defects heralds a new era in the deployment of quantum sensors beyond laboratory conditions.
As the sensors become more widely adopted, their two-dimensional format presents unique advantages in integration with other nano-engineered systems. Given the rapid expansion of quantum technologies—ranging from computing to metrology—the ability to embed quantum sensors in atomically-thin platforms that can survive intense mechanical manipulation and environmental stress is of paramount importance. This capability promises to enrich not only fundamental research but also applied sectors like materials testing, mineralogy, and potentially even space exploration.
In sum, the development of ultra-thin, robust quantum sensors in crystallized boron nitride sheets marks a paradigm shift in the investigation of quantum properties under extreme conditions. By harmonizing material science innovation, quantum physics, and high-pressure engineering, the team at Washington University exemplifies the potential of multidisciplinary research to overcome previously insurmountable challenges. As the scientific community eagerly awaits further results from these sensors, their role in unraveling the mysteries of matter under pressure is poised to be transformative.
Subject of Research: Quantum sensors for high-pressure measurements in boron nitride materials
Article Title: Unbreakable Quantum Sensors in Atomically Thin Boron Nitride withstanding Extreme Pressure
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated; referenced article published in Nature Communications (2025)
Web References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63535-7
https://physics.wustl.edu/people/chong-zu
https://quantumleaps.wustl.edu/
https://physics.wustl.edu/people/guanghui-he
https://physics.wustl.edu/people/ruotian-reginald-gong
References: WashU study published in Nature Communications, contributions from WashU and Harvard researchers
Image Credits: Not provided
Keywords
Quantum physics, high-pressure sensors, boron nitride, quantum measurement, two-dimensional materials, neutron irradiation, electron spin, diamond anvils, superconductivity, quantum dynamics, materials science, geophysics
Tags: advancements in quantum sensor materialsapplications of quantum sensors in geophysicsatomic-scale vacancies in materialsboron nitride in quantum physicscondensed matter physics breakthroughshigh-pressure quantum measurement technologiesinterdisciplinary applications of quantum technologyplanetary interior studies using quantum sensorsquantum information science innovationsquantum sensors under extreme pressureresilience of quantum sensorsWashington University quantum research
