Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
15:47
Nanofabrication of Gate-defined GaAs/AlGaAs Lateral Quantum Dots
Published on: November 1, 2013
17.1K
A molecular quantum spin network controlled by a single qubit
Lukas Schlipf1,2, Thomas Oeckinghaus2, Kebiao Xu1,2,3
1Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstraße 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
Science Advances
|August 19, 2017
Summary
Researchers engineered a molecular chemistry building block for scalable quantum networks. This peptide-based unit allows collective control and readout using nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond.
Area of Science:
- Quantum technology
- Molecular chemistry
- Nanoscale engineering
Background:
- Scalable quantum technologies demand precise nanoscale control of quantum systems.
- Identifying elementary building blocks for quantum networks is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a molecular chemistry-engineered unit for scalable quantum networks.
- To demonstrate collective control and readout of molecular spin systems using nitrogen vacancy centers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized synthetic polyproline with attached molecular side groups as the basic unit.
- Employed nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond for collective control and readout.
- Investigated electron spins (S=1/2) localized on molecular side groups.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated collective readout and coherent manipulation of few (≤ 6) electronic spin systems.
- Successfully accessed the direct dipolar coupling tensor of the spin systems.
- Showcased optical readout of single quantum states via NV magnetometry.
Conclusions:
- Spin-labeled peptides are a viable resource for molecular qubit-based quantum networks.
- Established a foundation for constructing arbitrary quantum networks using established chemistry methods.
- Potential applications include molecular distance mapping and quantum information processing.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
2.1K
NMR-active nuclei have energy levels called 'spin states' that are associated with the orientations of their nuclear magnetic moments. In the absence of a magnetic field, the nuclear magnetic moments are randomly oriented, and the spin states are degenerate. When an external magnetic field is applied, the spin states have only 2 + 1 orientations available to them. A proton with = ½ has two available orientations. Similarly, for a quadrupolar nucleus with a nuclear spin value of one, the...
2.1K
01:17Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
1.5K
Coupling interactions are strongest between NMR-active nuclei bonded to each other, where spin information can be transmitted directly through the pair of bonding electrons. While nuclei polarize their electrons to the opposite spins, the bonding electron pair has opposite spins. Configurations with antiparallel nuclear spins are expected to be lower in energy. When coupling makes antiparallel states more favorable, J is considered to have a positive value. The one-bond coupling constant, 1J,...
1.5K
02:43Quantum Numbers
52.8K
It is said that the energy of an electron in an atom is quantized; that is, it can be equal only to certain specific values and can jump from one energy level to another but not transition smoothly or stay between these levels.
52.8K
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
1.8K
Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
1.8K
03:06The Pauli Exclusion Principle
59.9K
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of information:
59.9K
01:08NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
3.3K
The spin state of an NMR-active nucleus can have a slight effect on its immediate electronic environment. This effect propagates through the intervening bonds and affects the electronic environments of NMR-active nuclei up to three bonds away; occasionally, even farther. This phenomenon is called spin–spin coupling or J-coupling. Coupling interactions are mutual and result in small changes in the absorption frequencies of both nuclei involved. While nuclei of the same element are involved...
3.3K