Project description
Innovative tool enabling true atomic-scale quantum simulation
Quantum simulation offers a promising avenue for comprehending complex systems. However, the coherence time of a quantum state is constrained by its lifespan. While electron spins are susceptible to decoherence, nuclear spins exhibit superior isolation and longer coherence times. In this context, the ERC-funded HYPSTER project aims to develop a quantum simulator employing magnetic atoms. Utilising a scanning tunnelling microscope, the project will manipulate the atoms and engineer atomic structures to integrate electron and nuclear spins. Real-time monitoring of the collective quantum evolution of these structures will be achieved through hyperfine interaction. The project is set to furnish a toolset applicable in the realm of on-surface spin systems, facilitating genuine atomic-scale quantum simulation.
Objective
Quantum simulation is a promising strategy for understanding the behaviour of quantum systems that are too complex to be calculated directly. HYPSTER will make crucial steps towards creating a quantum simulator from individual magnetic atoms, addressed by means of a scanning tunnelling microscope. I will engineer atomic structures combining electron and nuclear spins coupled to each other via hyperfine interaction and read out their collective quantum coherent evolution in real time.
The lifetime of any quantum state is limited by its coherence time. While electron spins on a surface suffer from continuous decoherence due to electrons from the substrate, nuclear spins are much better isolated, holding potential for orders of magnitude longer coherence times. By providing controlled access to the real-time dynamics of the nuclear spin, HYPSTER aims to unlock this invaluable potential.
First, expanding upon a unique measurement procedure developed in my group, I will trace the combined time evolution of a nuclear spin coupled to an electron spin, allowing quantum information to be exchanged between the two. Next, I will explore methods to controllably couple and decouple the nuclear and electron spins by rapidly adjusting the local Hamiltonian. This will allow the nuclear spin to evolve by itself, not hindered by external decoherence sources. Finally, I will employ dual-frequency electron spin resonance to enable remote detection of spin dynamics, constructing a pathway towards connecting multiple nuclear spins over a distance.
The objectives of HYPSTER will provide a toolset that can be readily adopted throughout the blooming field of on-surface spin systems and set the stage for true atomic-scale quantum simulation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands