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Laboratory for X-ray Nanoscience and Technologies (LXN)

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Rare-earth quantum magnets

Quantum computers utilize the superposition principle of quantum objects: the property of being in a combination of different states simultaneously. They promise groundbreaking capabilities due to their inherent exponential scaling and are attracting attention across many fields of physics and beyond. Several routes are pursued to realize a universal quantum computer, amongst others employing trapped ions, superconducting circuits and dopants in semiconductors. 

adrian_project

The potential of rare-earth doped crystals for quantum technologies has been recognized early on. A focus of our QPS group is on rare-earth fluorides as a platform for quantum computer. For example, LiY1-xHoxF4 and LiY1-xTbxF4 exhibit a plethora of quantum phenomena ranging from quantum annealing to long lived coherent oscillations.

Our current scheme for universal quantum computer is based on Kramers rare-earth ions doped in crystals. Specifically, we are exploring erbium in LiYF4 and other host materials as candidates for solid-state qubits, due to optical transitions in the telecom band. The various energies and symmetries of different crystal field states, alongside with optical access offer a promising platform for a solid-state quantum computer. We use our unique combination of high-resolution optical spectroscopy and a high-brilliance infrared source (the Swiss Light Source synchrotron) to gain an understanding of the nature of the individual states. Ultimately, we aim to control the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom of these states coherently, meaning we will be able to manipulate the states of individual rare-earth atoms in the solid, to produce faster and less error-​prone quantum logic gates.

Recent publications

Emergence of highly coherent quantum subsystems of a noisy and dense spin system
A. Beckert, M. Grimm, N. Wili, R. Tschaggelar, G. Jeschke, G. Matmon, S. Gerber, M. Müller, G. Aeppli
arXiv:2210.01024

Precise determination of the low-energy electronuclear Hamiltonian of LiY1−xHoxF4
A. Beckert, M. Grimm, R. I. Hermans, J. R. Freeman, E. H. Linfield, A. G. Davies, M. Müller, H. Sigg, S. Gerber, G. Matmon, G. Aeppli
Phys. Rev. B 106, 115119 (2022)

Universal quantum computing using electronuclear wavefunctions of rare-earth ions
M. Grimm, A. Beckert, G. Aeppli, M. Müller
PRX Quantum 2, 010312 (2021)

Optical response from terahertz to visible light of electronuclear transitions in LiYF4:Ho3+
G. Matmon, S. A. Lynch, T. F. Rosenbaum, A. J. Fisher, G. Aeppli
Phys. Rev. B 94, 205132 (2016)

Recent highlights

22 January 2021
Manuel Grimm

New blueprint for more stable quantum computers

Future Technologies Quantum Research

PSI researchers have shown how faster and better defined quantum bits can be created. The central elements are magnetic atoms from the class of so-called rare-earth metals, selectively implanted into the crystal lattice of a material.

Read more

Project members

Photo of Tianyang Shen
Tianyang Shen

PhD student

+41 56 310 59 18
tianyang.shen@psi.ch
Clemence Mael Picture
Maël André Clémence

PhD Student

mael.clemence@psi.ch
Andrin Doll
Dr. Andrin Doll

Project Scientist

+41 56 310 53 62
andrin.doll@psi.ch
Photo of Stefan Stutz
Stefan Stutz

Spektroskopie Techniker

+41 56 310 45 65
stefan.stutz@psi.ch
Dr. Jakub Vonka

Tenure-track scientist

Quantum Photon Science - SwissFEL Cristallina

+41 56 310 37 83
jakub.vonka@psi.ch
Guy Matmon
Dr. Guy Matmon

Scientist

+41 56 310 35 49
guy.matmon@psi.ch
Simon Gerber
Dr. Simon Gerber

Group Leader "Quantum Photon Science"

+41 56 310 39 65
simon.gerber@psi.ch
Müller Markus
Dr. Markus Müller

Senior scientist
Condensed Matter Theory Group >>
Building/Room: WHGA/136

+41 56 310 44 30
markus.mueller@psi.ch
Gabiel Aeppli
Prof. Dr. Gabriel Aeppli

Head of Photon Science Division (PSD)
 

+41 56 310 42 32
gabriel.aeppli@psi.ch

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Contact

Dr. Simon Gerber

Laboratory for X-ray Nanoscience and Technologies
Paul Scherrer Institut
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

Telephone: +41 56 310 39 65
E-mail: simon.gerber@psi.ch
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