RUI: Probing Quantum Dynamics in Molecular Magnets and Superconducting Devices

RUI：探测分子磁体和超导器件中的量子动力学

• 批准号: 1310135
• 负责人: Jonathan Friedman
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: Amherst College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1310135&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Probing; Quantum; Dynamics; Molecular

****Technical Abstract****This project will explore the quantum dynamical properties of "macroscopic" objects, namely, single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and Josephson devices. Each of these systems can be thought of as an artificial atom capable of telltale quantum phenomena such as tunneling and superposition states. As such, they hold promise as qubits in the burgeoning field of quantum computing. In this project, some novel quantum phenomena will be investigated in these systems, potentially illuminating their suitability as qubits. Microwave spectroscopy of SMMs will be used to explore "forbidden" transitions in which a selection rule is lifted by spin tunneling. Such forbidden transitions are expected to have non-linear power dependence due, in part, to dynamical phase interference effects. Geometric (or Berry) phase interference will be investigated in both SMMs and Josephson devices by looking for the suppression of dynamical processes, such as tunneling, when the interference is destructive. The research will be conducted primarily at an undergraduate institution with active participation of undergraduate student-scholars, a graduate student, a postdoc and a faculty member. The research activities will afford amply opportunities for training and mentoring that will help the participants develop the technical and leadership skills needed in their future scientific and technical careers. ****Non-Technical Abstract****Quantum computers harness the counterintuitive laws of quantum mechanics to solve some problems more efficiently than any classical computer could. Qubits, the processing elements of quantum computers, need to be large enough to be individually addressable yet small enough to be able to maintain well defined quantum states for long periods of time. This project will investigate the quantum properties of artificial quantum objects (magnetic molecules and superconducting devices) that occupy this middle ground. Microwave spectroscopy will be used to explore "forbidden" transitions in magnetic molecules that will illuminate their quantum properties and may herald their viability as qubits. Quantum interference (one of the most counterintuitive of quantum effects in which an object seems to take two or more mutually exclusive paths simultaneously) will be explored in both magnetic molecules and superconducting devices to reveal the extent to which such a telltale quantum effect can be observed in "macroscopic" objects. The research will be conducted primarily at an undergraduate institution with active participation of undergraduate student-scholars, a graduate student, a postdoc and a faculty member. The research activities will afford amply opportunities for training and mentoring that will help the participants develop the technical and leadership skills needed in their future scientific and technical careers.

****技术摘要****该项目将探索“宏观”对象的量子动力学特性，即单分子磁铁（SMMS）和Josephson设备。 这些系统中的每一个都可以被认为是一种人工原子，能够具有隧道和叠加状态等细化量子现象。 因此，它们在量子计算的新兴领域中保持了前景。 在这个项目中，将在这些系统中研究一些新颖的量子现象，并可能阐明它们作为Qubits的适用性。 SMMS的微波光谱将用于探索“禁止”过渡，其中选择规则通过自旋隧道提升。 这种禁止的过渡有望具有非线性功率依赖性，部分原因是动态相干扰效应。 在干扰性破坏性时，将在SMM和Josephson设备中研究几何（或浆果）相的干扰。 这项研究将主要在本科机构进行，并在本科生 - 学院，研究生，博士后和教职员工的积极参与中进行。 研究活动将为培训和指导提供充足的机会，这将有助于参与者发展其未来科学和技术职业所需的技术和领导能力。 ****非技术抽象****量子计算机利用量子力学的违反直觉定律比任何经典计算机都更有效地解决了一些问题。 量子计算机的处理元素的Qubits需要足够大才能单独寻址但足够小，以便能够长时间保持良好的量子状态。 该项目将研究占据此中间地面的人造量子对象（磁分子和超导器件）的量子特性。 微波光谱法将用于探索磁分子中的“禁止”过渡，这些磁分子将阐明其量子特性，并可能预示其作为量子的生存力。 量子干扰（在磁性分子和超导装置中同时探索对象似乎同时采用两个或更多相互排斥的路径的量子效应之一），以揭示在“宏观”对象中可以观察到这种明显的量子效应的程度。 这项研究将主要在本科机构进行，并在本科生 - 学院，研究生，博士后和教职员工的积极参与中进行。 研究活动将为培训和指导提供充足的机会，这将有助于参与者发展其未来科学和技术职业所需的技术和领导能力。