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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Published on: August 17, 2017
Long-lived spin coherence in silicon with an electrical spin trap readout
G W Morley1, D R McCamey, H A Seipel
1London Centre for Nanotechnology and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, United Kingdom.
Researchers achieved long spin coherence times in silicon using pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance. This method enhances spin-to-charge conversion, enabling electrical detection of spin coherence exceeding 100 microseconds.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state physics
- Quantum information science
- Materials science
Background:
- Electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) is crucial for probing spin properties in semiconductors.
- Achieving long spin coherence times is essential for quantum computing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) of phosphorous-31 (31P) in silicon.
- To investigate spin-to-charge conversion mechanisms for enhanced spin coherence detection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pulsed EDMR on 31P in bulk crystalline silicon.
- Operated at very high magnetic fields (B0 > 8.5 T) and low temperatures (T = 2.8 K).
- Employed highly polarized conduction electrons and 31P donor electrons (>95% polarization).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that spin-dependent electron capture and reemission by 31P donors cause minimal decoherence.
- Achieved electrical detection of spin coherence times exceeding 100 microseconds (µs).
- Observed a 50-fold increase in detected spin coherence time compared to previous EDMR experiments.
Conclusions:
- The presented spin-to-charge conversion mechanism offers superior performance for EDMR.
- This advancement significantly extends the capabilities of electrical spin readout in silicon.
- Opens new avenues for sensitive spin measurements and quantum technologies.
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