Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
A germanium hole spin qubit.
Hannes Watzinger1, Josip Kukučka2, Lada Vukušić3
1Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria. hannes.watzinger@ist.ac.at.
Researchers demonstrate two-axis control of a spin 3/2 qubit in germanium (Ge) quantum dots. This breakthrough shows Ge
Area of Science:
- Quantum Computing
- Solid-State Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Holes confined in quantum dots are promising candidates for spin qubits.
- Germanium (Ge) offers potential for advanced semiconductor devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate two-axis control of a spin 3/2 qubit in a natural Ge hut wire double quantum dot.
- To investigate the potential of Ge as a platform for fast and electrically tunable hole spin qubits.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hut wire double quantum dot device in natural Ge.
- Utilizing Pauli spin blockade to enable electric dipole spin resonance (EDSR).
- Applying radio frequency electric fields for qubit manipulation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated two-axis control of a spin 3/2 hole qubit.
- Achieved coherent hole spin oscillations with Rabi frequencies up to 140 MHz.
- Measured dephasing times of 130 ns.
Conclusions:
- Germanium is a viable platform for developing fast and electrically tunable hole spin qubits.
- The demonstrated control and coherence properties highlight Ge's potential in quantum information processing.
Related Concept Videos
NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Detection of Black Holes
Their closest cousins are neutron stars, which are composed almost entirely of neutrons packed against each other, making them extremely dense. A neutron star has the same mass as the Sun but its diameter is only a few kilometers. Therefore, the escape velocity from their surface is close to the speed of light.
Not until the 1960s, when the first neutron...
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
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...
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...

