| NSF Org: |
PHY Division Of Physics |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 14, 2018 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 13, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 1820614 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Robert Forrey
PHY Division Of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2023 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $380,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $428,725.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2021 = $48,725.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE SEATTLE WA US 98195-1016 (206)543-4043 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
4333 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle WA US 98195-1560 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
OFFICE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY AC, EPMD-ElectrnPhoton&MagnDevices, CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, QIS - Quantum Information Scie, Integrative Activities in Phys |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001819DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Quantum information networks are expected to enable breakthroughs in computation for optimization problems, encryption-breaking, and materials simulation, as well as realize fundamentally secure communication. Quantum defects in crystals have been shown to exhibit some of the characteristics needed to realize a scalable quantum network; however finding a system that simultaneously exhibits all of the requisite optical and quantum properties remains challenging. Based on promising preliminary results, single donor defects in zinc oxide (ZnO) may satisfy these criteria. This project is to demonstrate single ZnO donor creation and detection with complete control and characterization of the donor electron and nucleus. The goal is to determine the outlook of this system for scalable quantum information applications. In addition, the study of single donor impurities in ZnO may lead to new techniques for studying dopants in semiconductors and will train a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students in quantum optics and nanotechnology, preparing them for careers in national laboratories, industry, and academia.
Defect-based quantum information processing is attractive due to the potential for device integration, the possibility of spin-photon transfer, and the long quantum coherence time in high-purity crystals. For defect systems with optical radiation, measurement-based protocols can be utilized to create quantum networks between non-interacting, remotely separated qubits. This project will investigate a defect system with favorable optical properties, i.e. the donor system in ZnO, which has homogeneous optical transitions and near-unity radiative efficiency in the zero phonon line. Prior studies in an ensemble of donors showed the potential for long coherence times of the donor system if isotopically purified ZnO crystal is available. Here, different techniques will be utilized to isolate single donors: growth of single ZnO nanowires with small diameters, and nano-scale masking or focused ion beam etching combined with epitaxial ZnO layers of low donor density. The isolation of single donors will be confirmed by a photon autocorrelation measurement. Optical pumping and microwave pulses for high-fidelity coherent control will be used to study the optical and spin (electron and nuclear) coherence properties of single ZnO donors, testing the suitability of this system as a qubit candidate. Due to the effective mass nature of the donor, it may be possible to generalize the quantum properties found in ZnO to the entire class of donors in direct band gap semiconductors, furthering the impact of this research.
This project is jointly funded by the Quantum Information Science (QIS) Program in the Physics Division in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and the Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) Program in the Division of Materials Science in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and the Electronics, Photonics and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) Program in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems Division in the Engineering Directorate.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
A new quantum bit, or qubit, the electron donor in the semiconductor ZnO, was identified as a promising qubit candidate for quantum network applications. The aluminum, gallium and indium donors were studied. The fundamental properties of the qubit including the classical memory time and quantum memory (coherence) time were measured. The dominant mechanism limiting the classical memory time was determined, leading to an upper limit on the quantum memory of 1 second. This time is extremely competitive with state-of-the-art qubit platforms. The optical coherence, critical for links between qubits, was also measured and found to be highly homogeneous relative to the state-of-the-art. However, the optical coherence must be improved by approximately a factor of 10 further for practical applications. Work toward the intentional synthesis of the indium donor qubit via implantation and annealing, as well as the addressing of single indium qubits was also performed. The results were published in 5 peer-reviewed publications with two additional publications under review.
With respect to broader impacts, 1 postdoctoral fellow, 4 PhD students and 1 undergraduate received training in the area of quantum-enabled technologies. A weekly science outreach program led by graduate students, the University of Washington Science Explorers, was also supported, reaching 60 elementary school students in a Title 1 school in southwest Seattle each year in 6-8 week-long science units. Lessons continued through COVID, with science supplies delivered to the students’ homes and lessons conducted virtually.
Last Modified: 01/01/2024
Modified by: Kai-Mei Fu
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