Singly-doped Colloidal Quantum Dots for Quantum Technology

量子点（QDs）是量子技术应用的良好平台。虽然其他类型的量子点已经用于构建量子设备，但胶体量子点（CQDs）是令人兴奋的替代品。cqd表现出许多与其他QD类型相同的理想量子力学特性，但也允许以纳米级精度定位量子位，为量子位提供无缺陷的环境，并通过简单和良性的基于溶剂的技术实现制造和集成到设备中。单掺杂cqd是光学可寻址自旋量子比特的良好平台，将用于“量子中继器”，这是扩展量子通信范围和实现分布式量子计算的设备。这些都是重要的未来应用，它们将分别确保金融交易和数据隐私的安全加密，并允许对新的药物分子进行建模，从而快速跟踪它们的发展。利用CQDs用于量子技术的关键挑战是确保CQDs仅是单掺杂的，并且掺杂物留在核心。Nanoco科技有限公司（Nanoco）开发了一种分子播种工艺，可以精确稳定地掺杂量子点核，并通过簇化学计量学控制掺杂量。然而，适合单掺杂CQDs的分子团簇尚未被合成。该项目的创新目标是开发这样的簇，然后利用这些簇来合成单掺杂的CQDs，建立在Nanoco现有的专业知识和知识产权之上。确认CQD核心是单掺杂的，并表征它们与量子技术相关的特性是非常苛刻的，需要曼彻斯特大学（UoM）光子物理小组的专业设施和专业知识，纳米公司与该小组有着长期的合作关系，以及国家EPR设施。一个成功的项目将支持英国成为发展量子技术的领先国家的目标。

Quantum dots (QDs) are excellent platforms for quantum technologies applications. While other types of QDs are already in use for building quantum devices, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are exciting alternatives. CQDs demonstrate many of the same desirable quantum mechanical properties as other QD types, but also allow qubit positioning with nanoscale precision, provide a defect-free environment for the qubit, and enable fabrication and incorporation into devices via facile and benign solvent-based techniques. Singly-doped CQDs are particularly good platforms for optically-addressable spin-qubits that will be used in 'quantum repeaters', which are devices for extending the range of quantum communications and for enabling distributed quantum computing. These are both important future applications that will, respectively, ensure secure encryption for financial transactions and for data privacy, and allow new drug molecules to be modelled, fast-tracking their development.The key challenges in exploiting CQDs for quantum technologies are ensuring that CQDs are singly-doped only, and that dopants remain in the core. Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco) has developed and patented a molecular seeding process that can precisely and stably dope QD cores, with the dopant number controlled by the cluster stoichiometry. However, molecular clusters suitable for singly-doping CQDs have yet to be synthesised. The innovative aim of this project is to develop such clusters, then use the clusters to synthesise singly-doped CQDs, building on Nanoco's existing expertise and IP. Confirming that the CQD cores are singly doped and characterising their properties relevant to quantum technology is demanding and requires the specialised facilities and expertise found in the photon physics group at the University of Manchester (UoM), with which Nanoco has a long-established relationship, and the National EPR facility. A successful project will support the UK's aim to be recognised as a leading nation for developing quantum technologies.