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

非技术摘要：这个项目创建了一个新的研究计划，用于操纵量子材料，以实现在量子计算中的潜在应用。量子材料特别令人感兴趣，因为与标准金属或半导体不同，它们表现出纯量子力学的某些性质。这些量子效应可以用来开发量子计算机。该项目建立了一个国际合作，研究这种材料的基本特性，以有效地存储量子比特，量子比特是传统计算机存储器基本元素的量子等价物。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，为这一快速发展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项目和从这项工作中开发的实践研究活动。作为研究工作的一部分，本科生还可以从增强的量子计算课程和在国家实验室工作的能力中受益，获得宝贵的经验并接触世界级的科学家和设施。与地区向上绑定项目和高中的伙伴关系为代表人数不足的背景的学生和他们的老师创造了新的机会。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：这项研究的重点是二维材料中孤立的自旋和/或磁性缺陷的发展，如过渡金属二卤化物。这些缺陷已经显示出作为量子比特用于未来量子计算应用的巨大潜力。这项研究是基于当地在二维材料合成、修改和分析方面的专业知识，以及与量子信息和量子材料领域的专家的国际合作。为了实现我们的目标，合成技术被开发出来，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。这些合成技术的优化使用了密度泛函理论计算之间的系统反馈来预测候选体系，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分析来评估最终材料中的缺陷，以及其他用于评估晶体质量的标准技术，如X射线衍射。我们还使用电子自旋共振和扫描隧道显微镜相结合的方法对这些体系进行了探索，以表征局部物理、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是很重要的。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职员工和学生能够扩展他们现有的专业知识，纳入与量子信息研究相关的研究方法。该项目由多学科活动办公室(MPS/OMA)、既定的激励竞争研究计划(EPSCoR)和技术前沿计划(TIP/TF)联合资助。该奖项反映了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。

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.