Research Areas - (7) Pulsed EPR Molecular Qubit Coherence

Full path: Physics > Quantum Information / Computing > Spin Qubits > Molecular Spin Qubit Quantum Sensing > Pulsed EPR Molecular Qubit Coherence

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics (Condensed Matter Physics Sub-department) | Quantum Spin Dynamics Group @ Oxford
Summary:

Ardavan leads the Quantum Spin Dynamics group, studying quantum coherent phenomena in condensed matter. Central to the lab's quantum sensing relevance: (1) molecular spin qubits β€” using pulsed EPR/DEER to characterise and control multi-spin registers ({Cr7Ni} molecular rings, nitroxide radical chains) assembled into qubit networks, measuring coherence times, inter-qubit couplings, and demonstrating spin-electric coupling in molecular magnets; (2) DNA-assembled molecular quantum devices β€” using DNA nanostructures to precisely position molecular spin qubits for multi-qubit sensing and quantum information applications; (3) surface atom spin resonance β€” STM-based coherent spin control of individual atoms on surfaces at nanosecond timescales. Uses X-band through W-band pulsed EPR at Centre for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance (CAESR), Oxford.

Department(s)/lab(s): Chemistry – Photon Science Institute / National EPR Facility | Bowen Group (Molecular Spin Qubits and EPR) @ Manchester
Summary:

Bowen leads the CQSE 'Spins and Qubits' theme at Manchester, focusing on organometallic molecular spin qubits for quantum sensing and computing. Research directions: (1) Organometallic La(II) and other rare-earth molecular qudits β€” designing molecules with multiple accessible spin states (qudits) for encoding quantum information and sensing; (2) Pulsed EPR characterization β€” Hahn echo, ESEEM, ENDOR at X/W/Q-band to measure coherence times and hyperfine couplings; (3) Integration of molecular qubits into devices β€” surface deposition and nanoscale addressing; (4) Multi-spin sensing β€” using exchange-coupled spin pairs as differential sensors of magnetic field gradients. Closely collaborates with Tuna and Winpenny.

Department(s)/lab(s): School of Chemistry | Giansiracusa Lanthanoid Magnetism Group @ UMelb
Summary:

Giansiracusa is an early-career PI (ARC DECRA) working on ytterbium and other lanthanoid single-molecule magnets, combining synthesis, magnetometry and ab initio electronic-structure calculation to understand and engineer magnetic anisotropy and spin relaxation. The stated aim of his DECRA is to move Yb-based single-molecule magnets toward real-world application, which in practice means qubit and sensor use cases where long coherence at accessible temperatures matters. Positioned against the established body of NV-ensemble quantum sensing work β€” DEER, nanoscale NMR and T1 relaxometry protocols operating at pT/sqrt(Hz) field sensitivity β€” the relaxation-time engineering problem he is attacking is the molecular analogue of the T1/T2 optimisation that sets pT/sqrt(Hz) performance in NV ensembles. Small, new group; a candidate would have unusual latitude but limited infrastructure.

Department(s)/lab(s): Electrical & Electronic Engineering – Photon Science Institute | Halsall Group (Photonics and Semiconductor Spectroscopy) @ Manchester
Summary:

Halsall is a senior PSI photonics researcher focusing on semiconductor spectroscopy and photonic quantum device characterization. Research directions: (1) Deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) β€” characterizing defects and impurities in semiconductor quantum device structures (Si, GaN, SiC) that are relevant to qubit coherence; (2) Photoluminescence mapping β€” spatial mapping of optical quality in quantum well and dot wafers for quantum sensing device development; (3) InGaN/GaN quantum wells β€” non-destructive optical characterization of LED and sensor structures; (4) THz and infrared spectroscopy β€” contactless Hall measurements and Drude response for quantum material characterization. Provides photonic metrology tools for characterizing quantum sensing device materials.

Department(s)/lab(s): Chemistry – National Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Facility | National EPR Facility / McInnes Group @ Manchester
Summary:

McInnes leads the National EPR Facility at Manchester (Europe's broadest EPR suite) and researches molecular spin qubits. Research directions: (1) Pulsed EPR spectroscopy of molecular spin systems β€” Hahn echo, ESEEM, ENDOR, DEER for structural and electronic characterization of inorganic and organometallic complexes; (2) Molecular spin qubits β€” [Cu(mnt)2]²⁻ and related molecules as candidate qubits; measuring coherence times and investigating decoherence mechanisms; (3) Multi-qubit molecular registers β€” using exchange interactions for two-qubit gates within a molecule; (4) Magnetic sensing applications β€” molecular systems for magnetic field sensing below the diffraction limit. Partner of NPL M4Q EPSRC Network for Materials for Quantum.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics & Astronomy – Photon Science Institute | Parkinson Group (Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Photonic Materials) @ Manchester
Summary:

Parkinson's group uses ultrafast optical spectroscopy to study carrier dynamics in photonic materials with quantum device applications. Research directions: (1) Time-resolved photoluminescence β€” TRPL with single-photon counting to map exciton lifetimes, diffusion, and defect trapping in GaN, perovskite, and 2D semiconductor quantum wells; (2) Optical single-particle spectroscopy β€” isolating single nanowires or nanocrystals for defect-free measurements of intrinsic optical properties; (3) Photon-number statistics β€” Hanbury Brown–Twiss measurements of single-photon purity from quantum dots and localized excitons; (4) Semiconductor quantum sensing interfaces β€” studying how carrier dynamics affect the fidelity of semiconductor-based quantum sensors and emitters.

Department(s)/lab(s): Chemistry – Photon Science Institute | Winpenny Group (Molecular Magnetism) @ Manchester
Summary:

Winpenny holds the Regius Chair in Chemistry at Manchester and is a world leader in molecular magnetism and molecular nanomagnets for quantum technologies. Research directions: (1) Molecular nanomagnets β€” synthesis of Cr7Ni 'horseshoe' rings and related cage clusters as prototype molecular qubits with long T2 times; (2) Multi-qubit molecular architectures β€” covalently linked molecular qubit pairs and arrays for quantum gate operations and distributed sensing; (3) Quantum error correction in molecules β€” designing molecular systems encoding logical qubits with error protection; (4) Quantum sensing applications β€” molecular spin systems as ultra-sensitive nanoscale magnetic sensors in the sub-nm regime. Leading the NPL M4Q Network and UK molecular qubit community.