pith. sign in

arxiv: 2606.19978 · v1 · pith:HWC4FALUnew · submitted 2026-06-18 · 🪐 quant-ph

On chip, multifunctional quantum sensing using single spins in a van der Waals crystal

James Liddle-Wesolowski , Konosuke Shimazaki , Jiyun Kim , Benjamin Whitefield , Kenji Watanabe , Takashi Taniguchi , Mehran Kianinia , Igor Aharonovich This is my paper

Pith reviewed 2026-06-26 17:27 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 🪐 quant-ph
keywords quantum sensinghexagonal boron nitridedual sensingtemperature sensingmagnetometryzero-phonon lineoptically detected magnetic resonance
0
0 comments X

The pith

Single quantum emitters in hBN sense temperature and magnetic field independently at once.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper shows that the same single spin defect in hexagonal boron nitride can read out temperature from the shift of its zero-phonon line and magnetic field from its optically detected magnetic resonance, with the two readouts remaining separate. Experiments confirm that changing temperature moves only the emission line while changing magnetic field moves only the resonance frequency. The same emitters then measure local heating on a working microcircuit while an external magnetic field is tracked at the same time. A reader would care because this removes the usual need for separate sensors or corrections when multiple quantities must be known in one nanoscale spot.

Core claim

Single quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride enable independent dual sensing: the zero-phonon line position responds to temperature while optically detected magnetic resonance responds to magnetic field, and both responses remain independent even while the emitter measures local temperature on a microcircuit in the presence of an external magnetic field.

What carries the argument

Independent readouts from the zero-phonon line position for temperature and from optically detected magnetic resonance for magnetic field, performed on the same single spin in hBN.

If this is right

  • Local temperature on an operating microcircuit can be read while an external magnetic field is measured at the same location and time.
  • One nanoscale spin sensor can replace two separate sensors when both temperature and magnetic field must be known.
  • Multifunctional quantum sensing becomes practical under realistic conditions that include circuits and stray fields.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • The platform could be extended to sense additional quantities if other independent spectral features are identified in the same emitters.
  • Integration into larger quantum devices would allow simultaneous monitoring of temperature and field without added hardware.

Load-bearing premise

The zero-phonon line temperature response and the magnetic resonance field response stay independent with no meaningful cross-talk when both quantities are present together.

What would settle it

A measurement in which temperature is varied while magnetic field is held fixed and the ODMR frequency shifts by more than the noise floor, or magnetic field is varied while temperature is held fixed and the ZPL position shifts, would show the responses are not independent.

read the original abstract

Nanoscale thermometry and magnetometry are in high demand across a wide range of scientific and technological applications. In this context, optically addressable spins in solids have emerged at the forefront of on-chip quantum sensing. However, simultaneous quantum sensing of multiple parameters (e.g., temperature and magnetic field) using the same spin sensor remains challenging due to cross-sensitivity to multiple physical quantities. Here, we demonstrate independent dual sensing of temperature and magnetic field using single quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We experimentally verify the independent response of the zero-phonon line (ZPL) position to temperature and of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) to magnetic fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate local temperature sensing of a microcircuit while simultaneously measuring an external magnetic field. Our results establish quantum emitters in hBN as a robust platform for multifunctional quantum sensing under realistic operating conditions.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

1 major / 0 minor

Summary. The paper claims to demonstrate independent dual sensing of temperature (via ZPL position shift) and magnetic field (via ODMR) using single quantum emitters in hBN. It states that independent responses were experimentally verified and that simultaneous local temperature sensing of a powered microcircuit plus external B-field measurement was performed, establishing hBN emitters as a platform for multifunctional on-chip quantum sensing without cross-sensitivity.

Significance. If the independence of the two sensing modalities holds under simultaneous operation with a microcircuit present, the result would address a key challenge in solid-state quantum sensing by enabling parameter-specific readout from the same spin without fitted cross-terms, potentially enabling compact multifunctional sensors.

major comments (1)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract: the central claim of experimentally verified independence and simultaneous multifunctionality requires that cross-sensitivity checks (ZPL vs T at varying B; ODMR vs B at varying T) were performed under the joint conditions of the final experiment (powered microcircuit + external field). No methods, raw data, or error analysis are visible to confirm this, leaving open the possibility that independence holds only in separate calibrations.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

1 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for their careful reading and constructive feedback. We address the single major comment below.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract: the central claim of experimentally verified independence and simultaneous multifunctionality requires that cross-sensitivity checks (ZPL vs T at varying B; ODMR vs B at varying T) were performed under the joint conditions of the final experiment (powered microcircuit + external field). No methods, raw data, or error analysis are visible to confirm this, leaving open the possibility that independence holds only in separate calibrations.

    Authors: We agree that explicit verification of cross-sensitivity under the joint conditions (powered microcircuit plus external field) would strengthen the central claim. Our existing data establish the individual responses via separate calibrations and show consistency during simultaneous operation, but we do not currently present the requested cross-checks performed with the microcircuit active. We will therefore add these measurements, together with the associated methods description, raw data, and error analysis, to the revised manuscript and supplementary information. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity; purely experimental demonstration with no derivations or fitted predictions

full rationale

The manuscript contains no equations, derivations, or parameter-fitting steps that could reduce to self-definition or self-citation. All claims rest on direct experimental measurements of ZPL shifts versus temperature and ODMR versus magnetic field, performed under the stated conditions. Because no load-bearing mathematical chain exists, none of the enumerated circularity patterns apply; the work is self-contained against external benchmarks.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 0 axioms · 0 invented entities

Abstract-only review; no equations, parameters, or new entities described.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.1-grok · 5708 in / 926 out tokens · 29376 ms · 2026-06-26T17:27:41.309716+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

39 extracted references · 36 canonical work pages · 1 internal anchor

  1. [1]

    Then, the sample was placed on PLANCK maskless UV lithography and exposed through a designed pixel array (1920x1080) to pattern a micro-scale heating circuit near the hBN flake

    Fabrication of heating circuit To design the micro-scale heating circuit, photoresist (AZ-1518) was deposited onto the prepared hBN substrate by spin-coating. Then, the sample was placed on PLANCK maskless UV lithography and exposed through a designed pixel array (1920x1080) to pattern a micro-scale heating circuit near the hBN flake. Then, we deposited C...

  2. [2]

    The surface of the sample was measured with a scanning mirror and a 568 nm long pass filter to block the laser falling on Excelitas avalanche photodiodes (APDs)

    Optical characterization PL measurements were performed using a home-built confocal setup that used a 532 nm CW laser and a x100 Olympus objective with a 0.9 numerical aperture. The surface of the sample was measured with a scanning mirror and a 568 nm long pass filter to block the laser falling on Excelitas avalanche photodiodes (APDs). An additional 617...

  3. [3]

    The power to the heating block and voltage were supplied to the heating micro circuit with a Tektronix 2623B system SourceMeter

    Dual temperature and magnetic sensing Global heating measurements were performed using a custom-built heating coil block, and the temperature was read out using a thermocouple and a multimeter. The power to the heating block and voltage were supplied to the heating micro circuit with a Tektronix 2623B system SourceMeter. CW ODMR was performed using an Ana...

  4. [4]

    A three-dimensional steady-state heat transfer model was employed

    Simulation The Joule heating of the micro-circuit was simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.3. A three-dimensional steady-state heat transfer model was employed. The applied current was determined from the experimentally applied voltage divided by the measured average resistance of the circuit. The temperature of the Si substrate and the surrounding air w...

    work page internal anchor Pith review doi:10.1103/revmodphys.89.035002 2017

  5. [5]

    Material platforms for spin-based photonic quantum technologies

    Atatüre M, Englund D, Vamivakas N, Lee SY, Wrachtrup J. Material platforms for spin-based photonic quantum technologies. Nat Rev Mater. 2018 May;3(5):38–51. doi:10.1038/s41578-018-0008-9

    work page doi:10.1038/s41578-018-0008-9 2018

  6. [6]

    Quantum guidelines for solid-state spin defects

    Wolfowicz G, Heremans FJ, Anderson CP, Kanai S, Seo H, Gali A, et al. Quantum guidelines for solid-state spin defects. Nat Rev Mater. 2021 Oct;6(10):906–25. doi:10.1038/s41578-021-00306-y

    work page doi:10.1038/s41578-021-00306-y 2021

  7. [7]

    Quantum technologies with optically interfaced solid-state spins

    Awschalom DD, Hanson R, Wrachtrup J, Zhou BB. Quantum technologies with optically interfaced solid-state spins. Nat Photonics. 2018 Sep;12(9):516–27. doi:10.1038/s41566-018-0232-2

    work page doi:10.1038/s41566-018-0232-2 2018

  8. [8]

    Superconducting quantum interference device instruments and applications

    Fagaly RL. Superconducting quantum interference device instruments and applications. Rev Sci Instrum. 2006 Oct 11;77(10):101101. doi:10.1063/1.2354545

    work page doi:10.1063/1.2354545 2006

  9. [9]

    Thermoreflectance techniques and Raman thermometry for thermal property characterization of nanostructures

    Sandell S, Chávez-Ángel E, El Sachat A, He J, Sotomayor Torres CM, Maire J. Thermoreflectance techniques and Raman thermometry for thermal property characterization of nanostructures. J Appl Phys. 2020 Oct 5;128(13):131101. doi:10.1063/5.0020239

    work page doi:10.1063/5.0020239 2020

  10. [10]

    2007 , month = apr, publisher =

    Budker D, Romalis M. Optical magnetometry. Nat Phys. 2007 Apr;3(4):227–34. doi:10.1038/nphys566

    work page doi:10.1038/nphys566 2007

  11. [11]

    A Review on Principles and Applications of Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM)

    Zhang Y, Zhu W, Hui F, Lanza M, Borca-Tasciuc T, Muñoz Rojo M. A Review on Principles and Applications of Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM). Adv Funct Mater. 2020;30(18):1900892. doi:10.1002/adfm.201900892

    work page doi:10.1002/adfm.201900892 2020

  12. [12]

    Nanoscale imaging magnetometry with diamond spins under ambient conditions

    Balasubramanian G, Chan IY, Kolesov R, Al-Hmoud M, Tisler J, Shin C, et al. Nanoscale imaging magnetometry with diamond spins under ambient conditions. Nature. 2008 Oct;455(7213):648–51. doi:10.1038/nature07278

    work page doi:10.1038/nature07278 2008

  13. [13]

    Single-molecule scale magnetic resonance spectroscopy using quantum diamond sensors

    Du J, Shi F, Kong X, Jelezko F, Wrachtrup J. Single-molecule scale magnetic resonance spectroscopy using quantum diamond sensors. Rev Mod Phys. 2024 May 8;96(2):025001. doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.96.025001

    work page doi:10.1103/revmodphys.96.025001 2024

  14. [14]

    Quantum sensing and imaging with spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride

    Vaidya S, Gao X, Dikshit S, Aharonovich I, Li T. Quantum sensing and imaging with spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride. Adv Phys X. 2023 Dec 31;8(1):2206049. doi:10.1080/23746149.2023.2206049

    work page doi:10.1080/23746149.2023.2206049 2023

  15. [15]

    Quantum Sensing with Spin Defects Beyond Diamond

    Roberts H, Abudayyeh H, Li X, Li X. Quantum Sensing with Spin Defects Beyond Diamond. ACS Nano. 2025 Jul 1;19(25):22528–75. doi:10.1021/acsnano.5c00802

    work page doi:10.1021/acsnano.5c00802 2025

  16. [16]

    Nanoscale diamond quantum sensors for many-body physics

    Rovny J, Gopalakrishnan S, Jayich ACB, Maletinsky P, Demler E, de Leon NP. Nanoscale diamond quantum sensors for many-body physics. Nat Rev Phys. 2024 Dec;6(12):753–68. doi:10.1038/s42254-024-00775-4

    work page doi:10.1038/s42254-024-00775-4 2024

  17. [17]

    Silicon carbide color centers for quantum applications

    Castelletto S, Boretti A. Silicon carbide color centers for quantum applications. J Phys Photonics. 2020 Mar;2(2):022001. doi:10.1088/2515-7647/ab77a2

    work page doi:10.1088/2515-7647/ab77a2 2020

  18. [18]

    Room-Temperature Electrical Readout of Spin Defects in van der Waals Materials

    Ru S, An L, Liang H, Jiang Z, Li Z, Lyu X, et al. Room-Temperature Electrical Readout of Spin Defects in van der Waals Materials. Phys Rev Lett. 2025 Nov 24;135(22):220802. doi:10.1103/dlzw-dhsr

    work page doi:10.1103/dlzw-dhsr 2025

  19. [19]

    Pure spin squeezing of $h$-BN spins coupled to superconducting resonator

    Qiao YF, Chen JQ, Zhou Y, Li PB, Gao WB. Pure spin squeezing of $h$-BN spins coupled to superconducting resonator. Phys Rev B. 2023 May 18;107(19):195425. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.107.195425

    work page doi:10.1103/physrevb.107.195425 2023

  20. [20]

    Coherent dynamics of strongly interacting electronic spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride

    Gong R, He G, Gao X, Ju P, Liu Z, Ye B, et al. Coherent dynamics of strongly interacting electronic spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride. Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 6;14(1):3299. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39115-y

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39115-y 2023

  21. [21]

    Isotope engineering for spin defects in van der Waals materials

    Gong R, Du X, Janzen E, Liu V, Liu Z, He G, et al. Isotope engineering for spin defects in van der Waals materials. Nat Commun. 2024 Jan 2;15(1):104. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-44494-3

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-023-44494-3 2024

  22. [22]

    Sensing spin wave excitations by spin defects in few-layer-thick hexagonal boron nitride

    Zhou J, Lu H, Chen D, Huang M, Yan GQ, Al-matouq F, et al. Sensing spin wave excitations by spin defects in few-layer-thick hexagonal boron nitride. Sci Adv. 2024 May;10(18):eadk8495. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adk8495

    work page doi:10.1126/sciadv.adk8495 2024

  23. [23]

    Wide field imaging of van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2 by spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride

    Huang M, Zhou J, Chen D, Lu H, McLaughlin NJ, Li S, et al. Wide field imaging of van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2 by spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride. Nat Commun. 2022 Sep 13;13(1):5369. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-33016-2

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-022-33016-2 2022

  24. [24]

    Room-temperature hybrid 2D-3D quantum spin system for enhanced magnetic sensing and many-body dynamics

    Sun H, Yu P, Zhou X, Ye X, Wang M, Liu Z, et al. Room-temperature hybrid 2D-3D quantum spin system for enhanced magnetic sensing and many-body dynamics. Npj Quantum Inf. 2025 Dec 6;12(1):10. doi:10.1038/s41534-025-01152-4

    work page doi:10.1038/s41534-025-01152-4 2025

  25. [25]

    Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond: Nanoscale Sensors for Physics and Biology

    Schirhagl R, Chang K, Loretz M, Degen CL. Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond: Nanoscale Sensors for Physics and Biology. Annu Rev Phys Chem. 2014 Apr 1;65(Volume 65, 2014):83–105. doi:10.1146/annurev-physchem-040513-103659

    work page doi:10.1146/annurev-physchem-040513-103659 2014

  26. [26]

    Magnetic imaging under high pressure with a spin-based quantum sensor integrated in a van der Waals heterostructure

    Mu Z, Fraunié J, Durand A, Clément S, Finco A, Rouquette J, et al. Magnetic imaging under high pressure with a spin-based quantum sensor integrated in a van der Waals heterostructure. Nat Commun. 2025 Sep 29;16(1):8574. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-63580-2

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-025-63580-2 2025

  27. [27]

    Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride as 2D Strain Sensors

    Mu Z, Zhang Z, Fraunié J, Robert C, Seine G, Gil B, et al. Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride as 2D Strain Sensors. Adv Funct Mater. 2026;36(36):e30638. doi:10.1002/adfm.202530638

    work page doi:10.1002/adfm.202530638 2026

  28. [28]

    Highly Reliable Diamond MEMS Dual Sensor for Magnetic Fields and Temperatures with Self-Recognition Algorithms

    Zhang Z, Gu K, Chen G, Sang L, Teraji T, Koide Y, et al. Highly Reliable Diamond MEMS Dual Sensor for Magnetic Fields and Temperatures with Self-Recognition Algorithms. Adv Mater Technol. 2024;9(13):2400153. doi:10.1002/admt.202400153

    work page doi:10.1002/admt.202400153 2024

  29. [29]

    Multiplexed Sensing of Magnetic Field and Temperature in Real Time Using a Nitrogen-Vacancy Ensemble in Diamond

    Shim JH, Lee SJ, Ghimire S, Hwang JI, Lee KG, Kim K, et al. Multiplexed Sensing of Magnetic Field and Temperature in Real Time Using a Nitrogen-Vacancy Ensemble in Diamond. Phys Rev Appl. 2022 Jan 7;17(1):014009. doi:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.17.014009

    work page doi:10.1103/physrevapplied.17.014009 2022

  30. [30]

    Simultaneous thermometry and magnetometry using a fiber-coupled quantum diamond sensor

    Hatano Y, Shin J, Nishitani D, Iwatsuka H, Masuyama Y, Sugiyama H, et al. Simultaneous thermometry and magnetometry using a fiber-coupled quantum diamond sensor. Appl Phys Lett. 2021 Jan 22;118(3):034001. doi:10.1063/5.0031502

    work page doi:10.1063/5.0031502 2021

  31. [31]

    Spin defects in hBN as promising temperature, pressure and magnetic field quantum sensors

    Gottscholl A, Diez M, Soltamov V, Kasper C, Krauße D, Sperlich A, et al. Spin defects in hBN as promising temperature, pressure and magnetic field quantum sensors. Nat Commun. 2021 Jul 22;12(1):4480. doi:10.1038/s41467-021-24725-1

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-021-24725-1 2021

  32. [32]

    Multi-species optically addressable spin defects in a van der Waals material

    Scholten SC, Singh P, Healey AJ, Robertson IO, Haim G, Tan C, et al. Multi-species optically addressable spin defects in a van der Waals material. Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 7;15(1):6727. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51129-8

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51129-8 2024

  33. [33]

    A charge transfer mechanism for optically addressable solid-state spin pairs

    Robertson IO, Whitefield B, Scholten SC, Singh P, Healey AJ, Reineck P, et al. A charge transfer mechanism for optically addressable solid-state spin pairs. Nat Phys. 2025 Dec;21(12):1981–7. doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03091-5

    work page doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03091-5 2025

  34. [34]

    Single-spin resonance in a van der Waals embedded paramagnetic defect

    Chejanovsky N, Mukherjee A, Geng J, Chen YC, Kim Y, Denisenko A, et al. Single-spin resonance in a van der Waals embedded paramagnetic defect. Nat Mater. 2021 Aug;20(8):1079–84. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00979-4

    work page doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00979-4 2021

  35. [35]

    Gilardoni C, Eizagirre Barker S, Curtin CL, Fraser SA, Powell OFJ, Lewis DK, et al

    M. Gilardoni C, Eizagirre Barker S, Curtin CL, Fraser SA, Powell OFJ, Lewis DK, et al. A single spin in hexagonal boron nitride for vectorial quantum magnetometry. Nat Commun. 2025 May 28;16(1):4947. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59642-0

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59642-0 2025

  36. [36]

    Single nuclear spin detection and control in a van der Waals material

    Gao X, Vaidya S, Li K, Ge Z, Dikshit S, Zhang S, et al. Single nuclear spin detection and control in a van der Waals material. Nature. 2025 Jul 24;643(8073):943–9. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09258-7

    work page doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09258-7 2025

  37. [37]

    Nonmagnetic Quantum Emitters in Boron Nitride with Ultranarrow and Sideband-Free Emission Spectra

    Li X, Shepard GD, Cupo A, Camporeale N, Shayan K, Luo Y, et al. Nonmagnetic Quantum Emitters in Boron Nitride with Ultranarrow and Sideband-Free Emission Spectra. ACS Nano. 2017 Jul 25;11(7):6652–60. doi:10.1021/acsnano.7b00638

    work page doi:10.1021/acsnano.7b00638 2017

  38. [38]

    Optical Thermometry with Quantum Emitters in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

    Chen Y, Tran TN, Duong NMH, Li C, Toth M, Bradac C, et al. Optical Thermometry with Quantum Emitters in Hexagonal Boron Nitride. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2020 Jun 3;12(22):25464–70. doi:10.1021/acsami.0c05735

    work page doi:10.1021/acsami.0c05735 2020

  39. [39]

    DC Magnetic Field Sensitivity Optimization of Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

    Zhou F, Jiang Z, Liang H, Ru S, Bettiol AA, Gao W. DC Magnetic Field Sensitivity Optimization of Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride. Nano Lett. 2023 Jul 12;23(13):6209–15. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01881

    work page doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01881 2023