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

摘要：该项目创建了一个新的研究项目，研究如何操纵量子材料，以用于量子计算的潜在应用。与标准金属或半导体不同，量子材料表现出纯量子力学的某些特性，因此特别令人感兴趣。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，研究这些材料的基本特性，以有效地存储量子比特，量子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，这项研究还被整合到教育和推广活动中，为这个快速发展的领域的未来科学家和工程师做好准备。本科和高中学生从暑期课程和实践研究活动中受益。本科生还受益于增强的量子计算课程，以及作为研究工作的一部分在国家实验室工作的能力，获得宝贵的经验，并接触世界一流的科学家和设施。与地区向上发展项目和高中的合作为来自弱势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，增强了学生在与科学和工程相关的学科中注册并取得成功的潜力。技术摘要：本研究的重点是在二维材料中开发孤立的自旋和/或磁性缺陷，如过渡金属二硫族化合物。这些缺陷显示出强大的潜力，可以作为未来量子计算应用的量子比特。该研究结合了本地在二维材料合成、修饰和分析方面的专业知识，以及与量子信息和量子材料领域专家的国际合作。为了实现我们的目标，我们开发了合成技术，选择性地将掺杂剂掺入单分子层，这是凝聚态物理学界感兴趣的研究方向。利用密度泛函理论计算预测候选体系、化学气相传递和化学气相沉积合成、利用电子自旋共振、自旋分辨拉曼光谱、透射电子显微镜和光谱学以及其他评估晶体质量的标准技术（如x射线衍射）评估最终材料中的缺陷，对这些合成技术进行了系统反馈优化。该系统还探索了使用电子自旋共振和扫描隧道显微镜的组合来表征局部物理，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非常重要。这一合作努力使来自北爱荷华大学和爱荷华州立大学的教师和学生能够扩展他们目前的专业知识，将与量子信息研究相关的研究方法纳入其中。该项目由多学科活动办公室（MPS/OMA）、促进竞争研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）和技术前沿计划（TIP/TF）共同资助。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.