Groundbreaking research conducted by an international team from Germany’s Forschungszentrum Jülich and Korea’s IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) has led to the development of a quantum sensor capable of detecting extremely minute magnetic fields at the atomic-length scale. This innovative work represents a major advancement in the field of quantum sensing, bringing scientists closer to realizing their long-held dream of having an MRI-like tool for quantum materials.
Utilizing the expertise of both the Jülich and Korean teams, the researchers were able to create the world’s first quantum sensor designed specifically for the atomic world. Unlike traditional sensors that rely on defects within crystal lattices, this new sensor uses a single molecule attached to a scanning tunneling microscope to sense the electric and magnetic properties of atoms. This novel approach allows for unprecedented spatial resolution on the scale of single atoms, a feat previously thought to be unattainable.
Dr. Taner Esat, lead author of the Jülich team, expressed his excitement about the potential applications of the new quantum sensor. He believes that this technology will revolutionize the way we explore and understand materials at their most fundamental level. With its ability to provide rich images akin to an MRI while setting a new standard for spatial resolution, the quantum sensor opens up transformative avenues for engineering quantum materials, designing new catalysts, and studying molecular systems in biochemistry.
The quantum sensor developed by the research team boasts an energy resolution that enables the detection of changes in magnetic and electric fields with a spatial resolution on the order of a tenth of an ångström, equivalent to one atomic diameter. This level of precision coupled with the sensor’s compatibility with existing laboratory setups makes it a valuable tool for researchers worldwide. Dr. Dimitry Borodin, lead author from QNS, emphasizes the importance of using finely engineered quantum objects to observe fundamental atomic properties, highlighting the need to be small in order to see small.
The implications of this groundbreaking quantum sensor extend beyond the realms of quantum technology, offering opportunities for studying various scientific disciplines. From exploring the quantum behavior of molecular systems in biochemistry to engineering novel materials and devices, the sensor is expected to play a key role in advancing scientific research. As Dr. Yujeong Bae, QNS’s PI for the project, points out, the development of cutting-edge tools for observing and studying matter is essential for scientific progress, echoing Richard Feynman’s belief in the vast potential of technology at the atomic level.
Professor Temirov, research group leader in Jülich, underscores the significance of the team’s achievement in constructing a record-holding quantum device through their work in molecular manipulation. The development of this atomic-scale quantum sensor marks a major milestone in the field of quantum technology, paving the way for new discoveries and innovations in scientific research. By harnessing the power of quantum mechanics and pioneering new sensing techniques, the research team has set a new standard for atomic-scale detection, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of quantum sensing.
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