Exploring the potential of molecular nanomagnets as quantum sensors of radiation

Alternative detection strategies are under investigation for the development of innovative devices which exploit the extreme sensitivity of quantum systems. These are considered promising for providing new sensors with frontier performances for applications in fundamental physics research, e.g. for the investigation of dark matter. In this context, we present measurements of magnetization by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation that highlight Mn12tBuAc Single Molecule Magnet as a potential quantum sensor for particle detection. Here we show that the magnetization average relaxation time $${\tau }_{R}$$, measured both directly by SQUID and indirectly through NMR echo amplitude, is sensitive to even minimal amounts of ionizing radiation impinging on a single crystal. This distinctive sensitivity is enhanced by the metastable character of the chosen initial magnetic state. Theoretical simulations provide an explanation for the shape of the curves describing the evolution of the magnetization towards equilibrium and for the observed behavior of $${\tau }_{R}$$. Quantum systems offer unprecedented sensitivity for developing advanced sensors, with potential for fundamental physics research such as dark matter investigation. Here, the authors demonstrate, validating also by theoretical simulations, that Mn12 tBuAc Single Molecule Magnet exhibits sensitivity to minimal doses of ionizing radiation leveraging its metastable magnetic state, with potential implications for particle detection.