ExpandQISE: Track 1: Development of Quantum Information Science Programs at an Undergraduate Institution through Research in 2D Qubit Systems

非技术摘要：该项目创建了一个新的研究计划，以操纵量子材料，用于量子计算的潜在应用。量子材料特别令人感兴趣，因为与标准金属或半导体不同，它们表现出某些纯粹量子力学的性质。这些量子效应可以用于量子计算机的开发。该项目建立了一个国际合作，以研究这种材料的基本特性，以有效地存储量子比特，量子比特相当于传统计算机存储器的基本元素。除了推进量子计算机的基础研究外，这项研究还被纳入教育和推广活动，为这个快速发展的领域的未来科学家和工程师做好准备。本科生和高中生受益于暑期课程和动手研究活动，从这项工作开发。本科生还受益于增强的量子计算课程和在国家实验室工作的能力，作为研究工作的一部分，获得宝贵的经验和接触世界一流的科学家和设施。与地区向上拓展计划和高中的伙伴关系为来自代表性不足背景的学生及其教师创造了新的机会。这种研究，教育机会和社区参与的结合，提高了学生的潜力，报名参加并成功地在相关学科的科学和engineering.Technical摘要：这项研究工作的重点是孤立的自旋和/或磁缺陷的二维材料，如过渡金属dichalcogenides的发展。这种缺陷已经显示出作为未来量子计算应用的量子比特的强大潜力。该研究是基于在二维材料的合成，改性和分析的本地专业知识和与量子信息和量子材料领域的专家的国际合作相结合。为了实现我们的目标，开发了合成技术，以选择性地将掺杂剂结合到单分子层中，这是更广泛的凝聚态物理学界感兴趣的研究。使用密度泛函理论计算之间的系统反馈来优化这些合成技术以预测候选系统，使用化学气相传输和化学气相沉积进行合成，并通过使用电子自旋共振、自旋分辨拉曼光谱、透射电子显微镜和光谱以及用于评估晶体质量的其他标准技术（例如X射线衍射）来评估最终材料中的缺陷。系统还探讨了使用电子自旋共振和扫描隧道显微镜的组合，以表征当地的物理，电子和自旋特性。这些测量对于验证这些系统在量子存储器中的应用的实用性是重要的。这项合作努力使北方爱荷华州大学和爱荷华州州立大学的教师和学生能够扩展他们目前的专业知识，将与量子信息研究有关的研究方法纳入其中。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical Abstract: This project creates a new program of research into manipulating quantum materials for potential applications in quantum computing. Quantum materials are of special interest as, unlike standard metals or semiconductors, they exhibit certain properties that are purely quantum mechanical. These quantum effects can be harnessed for use in the development of quantum computers. This project establishes an international collaboration to investigate the fundamental characteristics of such materials to efficiently store qubits, the quantum equivalent of the basic elements of traditional computer memory. In addition to advancing fundamental research into quantum computers, this research is integrated into educational and outreach activities to prepare future scientists and engineers in this rapidly evolving field. Undergraduate and high school students benefit from summer programs and hands-on research activities developed from this work. Undergraduate students also benefit from enhanced quantum computing coursework and the ability to work at national laboratories as part of the research effort, gaining valuable experience and exposure to world-class scientists and facilities. Partnerships with area Upward Bound programs and high schools create new opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds as well as their teachers. This combination of research, educational opportunities, and community engagement enhances the potential for students to enroll in and succeed in disciplines related to science and engineering.Technical Abstract: This research effort is focused on the development of isolated spin and/or magnetic defects within two dimensional materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides. Such defects have shown strong potential to serve as qubits for future quantum computation applications. The research is based on a combination of local expertise in the synthesis, modification, and analysis of two-dimensional materials and an international collaboration with experts in the field of quantum information and quantum materials. To accomplish our goal, synthesis techniques are developed to selectively incorporate dopants into single molecular layers, research which is of interest to the broader condensed matter physics community. These synthesis techniques are optimized using systematic feedback between density functional theory calculations to predict candidate systems, synthesis using chemical vapor transport and chemical vapor deposition, and assessing the defects in the final material by using electron spin resonance, spin-resolved Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy, and other standard techniques for assessing crystal quality such as x-ray diffraction. The systems are also explored using a combination of electron spin resonance and scanning tunneling microscopy to characterize the local physical, electronic, and spin characteristics. These measurements are important for verifying the utility of these systems for applications in quantum memory. This collaborative effort enables the faculty and students from the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University to expand on their current expertise to incorporate research methodology pertinent for quantum information studies.This project is jointly funded by The Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (MPS/OMA), the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and Technology Frontiers Program (TIP/TF).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.