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Thermal-activated escape of the bistable magnetic states in 2D Fe3GeTe2 near the critical point

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2023-12-05
JournalCommunications Physics
AuthorsChen Wang, Xi Kong, Xiaoyu Mao, Chen Chen, Pei Yu
InstitutionsNanjing University, Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale
Citations2
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: MPCVD Diamond for 2D Quantum Magnetometry

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: MPCVD Diamond for 2D Quantum Magnetometry”

This documentation analyzes the research paper, “Thermal-activated escape of the bistable magnetic states in 2D Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$ near the critical point,” focusing on the critical role of the diamond substrate and NV center preparation. We translate the experimental requirements into specific, high-value material solutions offered by 6CCVD.


The research successfully utilized Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as a quantum magnetometer to quantitatively study thermal-activated phase transitions in ultrathin 2D ferromagnets (Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$).

  • Core Achievement: Demonstrated quantitative description of the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) free energy landscape and critical fluctuations in 2D magnetic materials.
  • Material Requirement: The experiment relies on ultra-pure, low-defect Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) substrates to host near-surface NV centers (~10 nm depth) with long coherence times.
  • Thermal Dynamics: Observed random spin switching described by the Arrhenius law, where a 0.8 K temperature change induced a three-order-of-magnitude change in spin state lifetime.
  • Energy Tuning: Achieved precise tuning of the bistable magnetic states, yielding a large energy difference (51.3 meV) using a weak 1 G out-of-plane magnetic field.
  • Methodology: Utilized a fast three-point sampling method for Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) to achieve high temporal resolution necessary for measuring rapid fluctuations near the critical point.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD specializes in providing the high-purity, custom-oriented SCD substrates and metalization services required to replicate and advance this cutting-edge quantum sensing research.

The following hard data points were extracted from the experimental methodology and results:

ParameterValueUnitContext
Diamond Crystal Orientation[100]N/AUltra-pure SCD substrate used for NV creation
NV Implantation Energy16keV$^{14}$N$_{2}$ ions used to create near-surface NV centers
NV Implantation Dose1 x 1013cm-2Target dose for NV generation
Annealing Temperature1000°CPost-implantation thermal treatment
NV Layer Depth~10nmRequired proximity for 2D magnetometry
Critical Temperature ($\Delta T$) Range0.8KTemperature window causing 3 orders of magnitude lifetime change
Energy Difference ($2\delta E_{m}$)51.3meVInduced by 1 G magnetic field via Boltzmann distribution
Zero Field Splitting ($D$)2876.5MHzNV center property
Stray Field Sensitivity ($\epsilon_{tp}$)0.038GHz-1/2Theoretical sensitivity limit for three-point method
Correlation Decay Time ($\tau_{0}$)13msMinimal lifetime at the critical point ($T_{c}$)
Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$ Thickness (Sample #1)4.8nmUltrathin 2D magnetic material
Polishing RequirementRa < 1 nmN/AImplied requirement for hBN/Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$ transfer

The experiment relied on precise material preparation and advanced quantum sensing techniques:

  1. SCD Substrate Preparation: Ultra-pure, [100]-faced Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) was used, followed by cleaning in piranha solution (H${2}$SO${4}$:30%H${2}$O${2}$ = 7:3).
  2. NV Center Creation: NV centers were generated by implanting 16 keV $^{14}$N$_{2}$ ions at a dose of 1 x 1013 cm-2, followed by high-temperature annealing at 1000 °C for 4 hours.
  3. MW Delivery System: A 25 ”m diameter gold (Au) wire was soldered to the diamond substrate to apply continuous microwave (MW) fields necessary for driving the NV spin transitions.
  4. 2D Material Integration: Ultrathin Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$ was mechanically exfoliated and encapsulated by hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) flakes (200-500 nm thick) in an inert gas glovebox to prevent degradation and proximity artifacts.
  5. Low-Temperature ODMR: Measurements were conducted using a homemade scanning confocal microscope in a liquid nitrogen cryostat (Janis, ST-500) to control temperature near the critical point ($T_{c}$).
  6. Fast Magnetic Detection: The Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) spectrum was measured using a fast three-point sampling method, which significantly improved the speed of magnetic detection compared to full spectrum acquisition.

This research highlights the critical need for high-specification diamond materials and integrated fabrication services. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the necessary components to replicate and scale this quantum magnetometry platform.

Requirement from Research Paper6CCVD Solution & CapabilityTechnical Advantage
Ultra-High Purity DiamondOptical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) wafers, available in [100], [111], or [110] orientations.Our MPCVD growth process yields SCD with nitrogen concentrations < 1 ppb, maximizing the NV center coherence time ($T_{2}$) and ensuring optimal magnetic sensitivity ($\epsilon_{tp}$).
Custom NV Hosting SubstratesSCD Optimized for Implantation: We supply SCD substrates specifically engineered for shallow NV formation (e.g., 10 nm depth) via ion implantation and high-temperature annealing (up to 1200 °C).Provides a reliable foundation for creating dense, near-surface NV layers essential for non-perturbative sensing of 2D materials.
Integrated MW Delivery StructuresIn-House Custom Metalization: We offer lithographically defined deposition of Au, Ti, Pt, Pd, W, or Cu contacts directly onto the diamond surface.Eliminates the need for manual wire soldering (25 ”m gold wire used in the study), ensuring highly reproducible, high-frequency microwave delivery and improved experimental stability.
Large-Area Substrates for ScalingCustom Dimensions: SCD plates up to 125mm and Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) plates up to 125mm. Substrates up to 10mm thick.Supports scaling from research-scale samples to commercial quantum device fabrication, enabling high-throughput integration of 2D materials.
Surface Quality for 2D TransferUltra-Precision Polishing: SCD surfaces polished to Ra < 1 nm.Guarantees the ultra-smooth surface required for reliable mechanical exfoliation and transfer of sensitive van der Waals (vdWs) materials like Fe${3}$GeTe${2}$ and hBN, minimizing strain and artifacts.

The quantitative analysis of critical phenomena, such as the Ginzburg-Landau model parameters ($a_{2}$, $a_{4}$) and the Arrhenius barrier height coefficient ($a = 31$ meV K-2), requires precise control over the diamond material properties. 6CCVD’s in-house PhD team can assist with material selection and optimization for similar Quantum Magnetometry and Critical Fluctuation projects, ensuring the diamond substrate meets the exact specifications for high-fidelity quantum sensing.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Abstract Great effort has been made recently to investigate the phase transitions in two-dimensional (2D) magnets while leaving subtle quantification unsolved. Here, we demonstrate the thermal-activated escape in 2D Fe 3 GeTe 2 ferromagnets near the critical point with a quantum magnetometry based on nitrogen-vacancy centers. We observe random switching between the two spin states with auto-correlation time described by the Arrhenius law, where a change of temperature by 0.8 K induces a change of lifetime by three orders of magnitude. Moreover, a large energy difference between the two spin states about 51.3 meV is achieved by a weak out-of-plane magnetic field of 1 G, yielding occupation probability described by Boltzmann’s law. Using these data, we identify all the parameters in the Ginzburg-Landau model. This work provides quantitative description of the phase transition in 2D magnets, which paves the way for investigating the critical fluctuation and even non-equilibrium phase transitions in these 2D materials.