Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance on Carbene Molecular Qubits

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Solid-state quantum systems utilize optical and spin properties for quantum technologies.
• Molecular qubits offer tunable alternatives to traditional point defects.
• Precisely tunable organic qubits are needed for advanced quantum applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce ground-state triplet carbenes as purely organic qubits.
• To demonstrate their generation and characterization in a crystalline matrix.
• To explore their potential in solid-state quantum technologies.

Main Methods:

• In situ photoactivation for generating triplet carbenes in a crystalline matrix.
• State-of-the-art multireference quantum chemical calculations for spin characterization.
• Optical spin-selective transitions and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR).

Main Results:

• Ground-state triplet carbenes function as purely organic qubits.
• High spatial accuracy generation via photoactivation.
• Record spin coherence times (T2 = 157(4) μs at 5 K) and high fluorescence contrast (>40%) achieved.
• Demonstrated GHz-regime zero-field splitting and use of light elements (C, H, N, O).

Conclusions:

• Ground-state triplet carbenes are promising solid-state organic qubits.
• Their tunable properties and optical detectability are suitable for quantum technologies.
• This material enables photolithographic patterning and ODMR with excellent performance.