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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview01:03

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview

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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...
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NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling01:08

NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling

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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...
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Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling01:17

Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling

1.2K
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,...
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Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)01:20

Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)

1.5K
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...
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Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview01:08

Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview

1.2K
In bromoethane, the three methyl protons are coupled to the two methylene protons that are three bonds away. In accordance with the n+1 rule, the signal from the methyl protons is split into three peaks with 1:2:1 relative intensities. The methylene protons appear as a quartet, with the relative intensities of 1:3:3:1.
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...
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Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin01:08

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin

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All atomic particles possess an intrinsic angular momentum, or 'spin'. Electrons, protons, and neutrons each have a spin value of ½, although protons and neutrons in nuclei may have higher half-integer spins owing to energetic factors.
Atomic nuclei have a net nuclear spin, , which can have an integer or half-integer value. In atomic nuclei, the spins of protons are paired against each other but not with neutrons, and vice versa. Consequently, an even number of protons does not contribute...
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Silicon Metal-oxide-semiconductor Quantum Dots for Single-electron Pumping
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Optically addressable molecular spin qubits.

Sarah K Mann1, Sam L Bayliss1

  • 1James Watt School of Engineering & Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK.

MRS Bulletin
|April 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Optically addressable molecular spins offer a versatile qubit platform by merging molecular chemistry with optically readable spins. This review highlights their progress and potential, especially in quantum sensing applications.

Keywords:
OpticalQuantum materialsQuantum sensingQubitSensorSpin

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum Information Science
  • Molecular Chemistry
  • Optics and Photonics

Background:

  • Optically addressable molecular spins combine the chemical versatility of molecules with the coherence and detection sensitivity of optically readable spins.
  • This synergy creates a promising qubit platform with nanoscale modularity and structural diversity.
  • Molecular spin qubits offer advantages for quantum sensing and computation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress in developing and deploying optically readable molecular spin qubits.
  • To highlight key opportunities and applications, with a focus on quantum sensing.
  • To survey criteria for realizing these qubits and discuss existing/emerging platforms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of optically addressable molecular spin qubits.
  • Survey of criteria for qubit realization in molecular systems.
  • Discussion of various molecular spin qubit platforms (coordination complexes, organic molecules, ground/excited states).

Main Results:

  • Optically readable molecular spins are a rapidly advancing qubit platform.
  • Key criteria for their realization have been identified.
  • Diverse platforms are emerging, including coordination complexes and organic molecules.
  • Significant opportunities exist for quantum sensing applications.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular spin qubits represent a powerful integration of chemical systems and optical spin manipulation.
  • Further research can unlock their potential in quantum sensing and information processing.
  • Addressing current challenges will pave the way for broader applications.