Abstract

Solid-state spin defects have emerged as a versatile quantum platform, supporting quantum sensing and simulation across host materials from diamond to atomically thin crystals. This dissertation advances two distinct spin-defect systems: it develops the boron vacancy (VB-) in hexagonal boron nitride as a coherently controlled two-dimensional (2D) platform, and it applies the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center to probe unconventional superconductivity. The first part concerns the coherent control and engineering of strongly interacting boron vacancy ensembles: exploring their many-body spin dynamics, tailoring the host nuclear bath through isotope engineering, and characterizing the spin–phonon coupling that defines their intrinsic limits. It further integrates these 2D sensors directly onto diamond anvil culets for in situ magnetometry at extreme pressures. The second part establishes NV centers as local probes of unconventional superconductors, both sensing the dynamical magnetic fluctuations of the superconducting state and spatially resolving its local diamagnetic response. The focus is recent measurements of pressure-quenched Hg-1223 cuprates, where NV magnetometry images pressure-enhanced superconductivity that persists to ambient conditions. Together, these results illustrate how a shared toolkit of quantum control can be translated across diverse material platforms and physical regimes to unlock new capabilities in condensed matter physics.

Committee Chair

Chong Zu

Committee Members

Chuanwei Zhang; Erik Henriksen; Sophia Hayes; Xi Wang

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Physics

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

8-19-2026

Language

English (en)

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Available for download on Saturday, August 14, 2027

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Physics Commons

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