ArXiv · 2026
Maximizing the number of addressable spins within a fixed volume can improve ensemble quantum sensor sensitivity, but dense packing usually increases dipolar interactions and excited-state transport, shortening coherence and suppressing optical readout. Here we report a 2:1 cocrystal of 6,13-dihydropentacene and pentacene (DHP/Pc) containing 33.3 mol% pentacene (3.3×10⁵ ppm; 9.51×10²⁰ cm⁻³), a volumetric spin-site density more than two orders of magnitude above previous benchmarks, NV-diamond and pentacene-doped p-terphenyl (PDP). Despite this density, DHP/Pc exhibits microsecond spin coherence, room-temperature optically detected magnetic resonance and coherent control. Time-resolved measurements indicate that the long-lived triplet population is generated predominantly by intersystem crossing and exhibits strong, non-thermal sublevel polarization. Density-functional theory calculations further suggest that the native cocrystal geometry weakens electronic coupling between neighboring pentacenes, while the higher DHP triplet energy creates a barrier to triplet migration. These results identify molecular packing and coformer triplet energetics as complementary design parameters for preserving coherence in high spin-site density systems, demonstrating cocrystallization as a promising route to dense, optically addressable spin materials for room-temperature ensemble quantum sensing.
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