An extended ab initio theory of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center in hBN: excited states, Jahn-Teller distortion, and pressure dependence

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Benedek, Zsolt, Ganyecz, Ádám, Bulancea-Lindvall, Oscar, Barcza, Gergely, Ivády, Viktor
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Benedek, Zsolt
Ganyecz, Ádám
Bulancea-Lindvall, Oscar
Barcza, Gergely
Ivády, Viktor
author_facet Benedek, Zsolt
Ganyecz, Ádám
Bulancea-Lindvall, Oscar
Barcza, Gergely
Ivády, Viktor
contents Ensembles of negatively charged boron vacancy (V$_{\text{B}}^-$) centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have emerged as a two-dimensional spin qubit system interfaced with optics to advance nanoscale quantum sensing. However, a comprehensive description of its optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) signal remains challenging due to the strongly correlated nature of the excited electronic states involved in its optical cycle. In this work, we model the energetics, structural relaxation, and transition rates of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center using a high-level wave-function-based electron correlation method (CASSCF-NEVPT2). We provide a thorough analysis of the excited state fine structure and pseudo Jahn-Teller effects, singlet-triplet quasi-degeneracies, photoluminescence parameters, intersystem crossing pathways, and stress-dependence of the fine structure and decay parameters. Our findings not only clarify the fundamental behavior of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center in hBN but also establish the theoretical foundation for advancing the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center's readout for integrated 2D quantum sensors.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_04283
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle An extended ab initio theory of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center in hBN: excited states, Jahn-Teller distortion, and pressure dependence
Benedek, Zsolt
Ganyecz, Ádám
Bulancea-Lindvall, Oscar
Barcza, Gergely
Ivády, Viktor
Materials Science
Ensembles of negatively charged boron vacancy (V$_{\text{B}}^-$) centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have emerged as a two-dimensional spin qubit system interfaced with optics to advance nanoscale quantum sensing. However, a comprehensive description of its optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) signal remains challenging due to the strongly correlated nature of the excited electronic states involved in its optical cycle. In this work, we model the energetics, structural relaxation, and transition rates of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center using a high-level wave-function-based electron correlation method (CASSCF-NEVPT2). We provide a thorough analysis of the excited state fine structure and pseudo Jahn-Teller effects, singlet-triplet quasi-degeneracies, photoluminescence parameters, intersystem crossing pathways, and stress-dependence of the fine structure and decay parameters. Our findings not only clarify the fundamental behavior of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center in hBN but also establish the theoretical foundation for advancing the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center's readout for integrated 2D quantum sensors.
title An extended ab initio theory of the V$_{\text{B}}^-$ center in hBN: excited states, Jahn-Teller distortion, and pressure dependence
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.04283