QLC: Goblet-Shaped, Lanthanide-Based Molecular Spin Valves

该项目由化学部化学结构、动力学和机制B计划资助，旨在演示在单个杯状磁性分子中存储和/或处理量子信息，该分子沉积在表面并受到电子控制。量子信息处理可能导致量子计算机，量子计算机可能比目前的计算机更强大。量子信息处理在保密通信和精密测量中也很重要。这项研究产生的样品将广泛分布到自旋电子学社区，以支持分子自旋电子学和基于分子的量子计算领域的扩展。来自不同背景的学生，从高中到博士生水平，将参与该项目，使他们有机会不仅获得化学方面的能力，而且还获得材料科学和物理方面的能力。他们将为进入量子计算大军做好充分准备。具体地说，f块元素具有很强的磁各向异性，是极好的自旋量子比特候选者。为这个项目设计的分子采取高脚杯的形状，一个三环戊二烯基碗容纳稀土离子，一个长度和硬度可调的茎和一个芳香的脚确保与金属表面的强烈相互作用。利用这种模块化结构，将从体态到单分子水平对结构-性质关系进行广泛的研究。磁中心与下表面的分离有望保护其磁性特性，并使其能够被扫描隧道显微镜的顶部电极或尖端接触到。这种类型的设置打开了实现单分子自旋过滤器或在铁磁表面上实现分子自旋阀的大门，为构建电可寻址的单分子自旋量子位铺平了道路。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。

The goal of this project, funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamic & Mechanism B Program of the Chemistry Division, is to demonstrate the storage and/or processing of quantum information in a single goblet-shaped magnetic molecule deposited on a surface and controlled electrically. Quantum information processing could lead to quantum computers, which could be more powerful than the current computers. Quantum information processing is also important in secure communication and precision measurement. Samples resulting from this research will be widely distributed to the spintronics community to support the expansion of the fields of molecular spintronics and molecule-based quantum computing. Students from diverse backgrounds, from high-school to PhD candidate level, will be involved in the project, giving them the opportunity to acquire competences not only in chemistry but also in material science and physics. They will be well prepared to enter the workforce on quantum computing. Specifically, f-block elements, with their strong magnetic anisotropy, are excellent spin quantum bit candidates. The molecules designed for this project take the shape of a goblet, with a tricyclopentadienyl bowl holding a lanthanoid ion, a stem of tunable length and rigidity and an aromatic foot ensuring a strong interaction with a metallic surface. Taking advantage of this modular architecture, an extensive investigation of the structure-properties relationship will be conducted from the bulk state down to the single molecule level. The decoupling of the magnetic center from the underlying surface is expected to protect its magnetic characteristics and make them accessible to a top electrode or the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. This type of setup opens the door to the realization of a single molecule spin filter or, on a ferromagnetic surface, a molecular spin valve, which paves the way to the construction of electrically addressable single molecule spin quantum bits.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.