CAREER: Tunable superconductor materials for quantum information processing using pairs of Majorana zero modes

职业：使用马约拉纳零模式对进行量子信息处理的可调谐超导材料

• 批准号: 2046648
• 负责人: Peng Wei
• 金额: $ 80.47万
• 依托单位: University of California-Riverside
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2021-07-01 至 2026-06-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2046648&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Tunable; superconductor; materials; quantum

Non-technical abstract:Quantum computing, which leverages quantum mechanical processes for information storage and manipulation, is expected to surpass classical computing schemes. Recently, prototypes of quantum computers have demonstrated computing power on tasks that are difficult or impossible to be carried out by a conventional computer. However, to achieve a full-scale quantum computer which can carry out universal computation tasks, the critical issue of quantum decoherence – a process that causes the loss of quantum information and the generation of errors, needs to be addressed first. One promising way to tackle this challenge is to utilize a kind of exotic quantum particles, known as Majorana fermions, that are indistinguishable from their antiparticles. Such unique property allows one to construct the basic element of quantum computing, i.e. a quantum bit or qubit, using a pair of coupled Majorana fermions, which can give rise to a new type of qubit that is naturally protected from decoherence. This project aims to integrate the needed elements to build prototypes of such qubit using new superconductor materials. The project emphasizes on the education and outreach program for graduate and undergraduate students, and K-12 students and schoolteachers, which are combined with the research endeavors to build a next generation quantum-literate workforce.Technical abstract:The project establishes the material and device foundation for building a topological qubit – the kind of qubit that is protected against decoherence. The research exploits new materials known as topological superconductors, which have superconducting energy gap in their interiors and harbor Majorana zero modes at their boundaries. The candidate materials are two-dimensional (2D) systems and heterostructures, in which superconductivity, magnetism and spin-orbit coupling co-exist, such as the surface state of (111)-oriented gold coupled to a superconductor and a magnetic insulator. Such materials feature a high degree of tunability and allow the control of Majorana zero modes by manipulating the properties of the superconductor materials themselves. At the same time, the focused materials are scalable, which allows them to be easily fabricated into the needed nano structures/devices by following standard fabrication procedures. The research follows the “measurement-based” scheme for quantum information processing, which utilizes the concept of quantum state teleportation through a pair of Majorana zero modes. The project aims to achieve several milestones towards achieving a topological qubit, which includes: 1. prove the quantum non-locality of a pair of coupled Majorana zero modes; 2. control Majorana zero modes using tunable superconductor materials; and 3. demonstrate interferometer devices for topological qubit. The success of the project offers a path towards understanding the novel quantum phases emerging in material heterostructures and will stimulate quantum information sciences. The outcome will advance both basic science and information technology, paving the way for the next generation computation.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.

非技术摘要：量子计算利用量子力学过程进行信息存储和处理，有望超过经典计算方案。最近，量子计算机的原型已经在传统计算机难以或不可能完成的任务上展示了计算能力。然而，要实现能够执行通用计算任务的全尺寸量子计算机，首先需要解决量子退相干的关键问题-导致量子信息丢失和错误产生的过程。解决这一挑战的一个有希望的方法是利用一种被称为Majorana费米子的奇异量子粒子，这种粒子与它们的反粒子几乎没有区别。这种独特的性质允许人们使用一对耦合的Majorana费米子来构造量子计算的基本元素，即量子比特或量子比特，这可以产生一种新型的量子比特，它可以自然地防止退相干。该项目旨在整合所需的元素，以使用新的超导材料建立这种量子比特的原型。该项目重点是为研究生和本科生以及K-12学生和学校教师提供教育和推广计划，并结合研究努力建立一支下一代量子识字工作队伍。技术摘要：该项目为建立拓扑量子比特-一种防止退相干的量子比特-奠定了材料和设备基础。这项研究利用了被称为拓扑超导体的新材料，这种材料的内部有超导能隙，边界处有马约拉纳零模。候选材料是超导、磁性和自旋轨道耦合共存的二维(2D)体系和异质结构，例如(111)取向的金与超导体和磁性绝缘体耦合的表面态。这种材料具有高度的可调性，并允许通过操纵超导材料本身的性质来控制Majorana零模。同时，聚焦材料是可伸缩的，这使得它们可以通过遵循标准的制造程序轻松地制造成所需的纳米结构/器件。这项研究遵循基于测量的量子信息处理方案，该方案利用通过一对Majorana零模进行量子态隐形传态的概念。该项目旨在实现几个里程碑，以实现拓扑量子比特，其中包括：1.证明一对耦合的Majorana零模的量子非局域性；2.使用可调谐超导材料控制Majorana零模；以及3.演示用于拓扑量子比特的干涉仪装置。该项目的成功为理解材料异质结构中出现的新型量子相提供了一条途径，并将促进量子信息科学的发展。这一结果将促进基础科学和信息技术的发展，为下一代计算铺平道路。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。