PME Special Seminar: A.J. Heinrich, Center for Quantum Nanoscience

There is a strong international research effort in the area of quantum information science. Here, the concepts of quantum coherence, superposition and entanglement of quantum states are exploited. These concepts were originally shown with photons as well as atoms and ions in vacuum traps. Over the past two decades, many advances at studying such quantum coherence in solid-state and molecular architectures have evolved. In this talk we will focus on quantum-coherent experiments in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). STM enables the study of surfaces with atomic-scale spatial resolution and offers the ability to study individual atoms and molecules on surfaces. STM can also be used to move atoms with atomic-scale precision, which enables us to build engineered nanostructures where each atom is in the exactly correct place. In studying qubits with STM, we recently combined STM with electron spin resonance. Spin resonance gives us the means to quantum-coherently control an individual atomic or molecular spin on a surface. Using short pulses of microwave radiation further enables us to perform qubit rotations and learn about the quantum coherence times of our spins. We will finish with recently published results on multi-qubit operations with spins on surfaces.

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