(a) Boron vacancy defects in hexagonal boron nitride. Vacancies can serve as quantum sensors for measuring the size 

of atoms in magnetic fields, sensitive to magnetic fields, like a nano 'magnetic needle'. (b) The photoluminescence of 

quantum sensor nanoarrays can reflect changes in magnetic fields.

        Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, June 15 (Reporter Zhang Jiaxin) - Scientists at 

the University of Tokyo, Japan, have completed the precise task of arranging quantum 

sensors at the nanoscale for the first time using boron vacancies in the two-dimensional 

layer of hexagonal boron nitride, enabling the detection of minimal changes in the magnetic 

field and achieving high-resolution magnetic field imaging.

        Boron nitride is a thin crystalline material containing nitrogen and boron atoms. The 

artificially generated spin defects in boron nitride lattice are suitable as sensors.

        The research team produced a thin layer of hexagonal boron nitride film, attached it to 

the target gold wire, and then bombarded the film with high-speed helium ion beams, ejecting 

boron atoms and forming 100 square nanometers of boron vacancies. Each light point contains 

many atomic sized vacancies, and their behavior is like tiny magnetic needles. The closer the 

spot distance, the better the spatial resolution of the sensor.

        When the current flows through the wire, researchers measure the magnetic field at each 

point and find that the measured value of the magnetic field is very close to the simulated value, 

which proves the effectiveness of high-resolution quantum sensors. Even at room temperature, 

researchers can detect changes in the spin state of the sensor in the presence of a magnetic

field, thereby detecting local magnetic fields and currents.

        In addition, boron nitride nanofilms only adhere to objects through van der Waals forces, 

which means that quantum sensors are easily attached to different materials.

        High resolution quantum sensors have potential applications in the research of quantum 

materials and electronic devices. For example, sensors can help develop hard drives that use 

nanomagnetic materials as storage components.

        Atomic sized quantum sensors help scientists image the human brain, accurately locate it, 

map the underground environment, detect structural changes, and detect volcanic eruptions. 

This nanoscale quantum sensor will also become a "potential stock" for semiconductor, magnetic 

materials, and superconductor applications.