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Carbon nanotube based nanomechanical qubit

Project description

The first-ever mechanical qubit will be realised with carbon nanotubes

Quantum computers rely on quantum bits or qubits that can represent numerous combinations of zeros and ones at the same time thanks to superposition. They have been realised using the quantum states of things such as electrons in materials including superconductors, semiconductors and trapped ions. Now, the EU-funded CNTQUBIT project is planning to deliver the first-ever nanomechanical qubit. The qubit will be realised using a suspended carbon nanotube mechanical resonator alongside a double quantum dot that will enable strong coupling to a 'high quality' vibrational mode. Addressing and reading out the qubit will be accomplished via the state-dependent frequency shift of a superconducting microwave cavity with which the qubit will be integrated.

Objective

This proposal outlines our vision for generating the first mechanical quantum bit (qubit) ever produced. The qubit will be realized with a carbon nanotube (CNT) in two steps. First, a carbon nanotube mechanical resonator is prepared in its quantum ground state and strongly coupled to an embedded electronic two-level system (eTLS). The eTLS is realized by carefully tuning the energy states of two spatially distinct charge quantum dots until they hybridize. This double quantum dot is hosted along the suspended carbon nanotube and localized such that it couples strongly to a high mechanical quality factor vibrational mode.

Secondly, the strong coupling between the emergent eTLS and the CNT mechanical mode enables a tunable and strong anharmonicity in the mechanical restoring potential. This anharmonicity makes it possible to use the system as a qubit, which will be realized by integrating the nano-electromechanical (NEMS) device with a superconducting microwave cavity. This allows for the mechanical qubit to be coherently addressed and sensitively read-out using the state-dependent frequency shift imparted by the qubit on the superconducting cavity.

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Coordinator

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES
Net EU contribution
€ 160 932,48
Address
AVINGUDA CARL FRIEDRICH GAUSS 3
08860 Castelldefels
Spain

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Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 160 932,48