Single Atom Defect in 2D Material Can Store Quantum Data at Room Temperature, Study Reveals

For the first time, researchers have discovered that a single 'atomic defect' in a layered two-dimensional material maintains spin coherence at room temperature and can be controlled using light. This underscores the potential of 2D materials in advancing quantum technologies.

Getting the Most of Spin-Photon Interfaces

In utilizing spin-photon quantum interfaces, single-photon generation is required with a level structure that allows optical access to the spin of electrons. These systems are crucial in various applications like quantum sensors and quantum repeaters.

Ideally, a spin-photon interface is expected to display long-lived spin coherence with efficient optical transitions without the need for stringent operation conditions. For this reason, materials that host atomic defects with good optical and spin transitions get the most attention.

With the current technology, however, experts can only store quantum data in the spin properties of electrons called spin coherence. Since this technique requires a very particular and delicate laboratory setup, it is not something that can be done without a carefully controlled environment.

Storing Data in Spin Coherence

Experts from the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge discovered an atomic defect that can lead closer to the widespread applications of quantum networks and sensors. The study was discussed in the paper "A quantum coherent spin in hexagonal boron nitride at ambient conditions."

Led by Professor Mete Atatüre from the Cavendish Laboratory, the research team used a thin material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). It is an ultra-thin material composed of stacked one-atom-thick layers held together by forces between molecules.

Hexagonal boron nitride shows spin coherence, a property that involves the retention of quantum information by an electronic spin under ambient conditions. It was also discovered that these spins can be manipulated with light.

Because of the defects in hexagonal boron nitride, the researchers can investigate the behavior of the trapped electrons, especially the spin property that enables electrons to interact with magnetic fields. The experts were also able to control the electron spins using light within the defects at room temperature, an achievement that has never been done before.

Until now, only a few solid-state materials have demonstrated this property, marking a significant advancement in quantum technologies. The findings of the study confirm that at room temperature, the accessible spin coherence is longer than the researchers initially thought it could be.

It was shown that once the researchers have written a certain quantum state onto the spin of the electrons, the information is stored for approximately one-millionth of a second. This makes the system an ideal platform for different quantum applications.

While the duration seems short, what makes the system remarkable is that it does not require special conditions. This means that at room temperature, the spin quantum state can be stored without the need for large magnets.

The research team is still planning to find out how to make the atomic defects better and even more reliable . They also investigate how far the spin storage time can be extended. Additionally, they are probing if the system and material parameters can still be optimized.

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