Quantum dynamics in nanostructures

我们将研究微小物体的动力学，一侧大约有100个原子大。 在这些尺度下，通常的运动定律（经典力学）被打破，并被量子力学所取代。 在这项研究计划中，我们将确定某些动态量子力学过程，这些过程可能会改善未来的技术，从高效太阳能电池到超快的强大存储器，甚至是更具变革性的想法，以一种全新的方式执行计算：量子计算。 使用现代高级技术，我们将对可能用于改进上述技术的新量子动力学效应进行可测试的预测。 为了实现这一目标，我们正在（理论上）寻找一个量子效应以前经常被忽视的地方，但在那里有一个非常重要的潜力找到它们：在“自旋”中。 自旋是所有电子和大多数原子核所具有的内禀磁矩。 自旋使核磁共振成像成为可能--核磁共振成像是你体内核自旋的“图像”。 直到最近，许多人还认为量子力学效应只与非常短的时间尺度上的自旋相关，太短以至于无法测量或用于任何合理的目的。 然而，在过去5-10年中进行的一系列实验已经一次又一次地表明，自旋的“量子性”比以前认为的要强大得多。 由于自旋是如此普遍，在自然界的一切中都可以找到，这一认识使许多人推测量子力学效应对于描述从光合作用到鸟类迁徙的一切都是必不可少的！ 许多人仍持怀疑态度。 为了解决这场争论，重要的是要开发出可控地预测量子力学行为的方法，这样我们就可以“设计”模型系统，在模型系统中，量子行为可以得到验证，然后在未来的技术中利用我们的优势。 这是该计划的基本目标。

We will study the dynamics of tiny objects, approximately 100 atoms large on one side. At these length scales, the usual laws of motion (classical mechanics) break down and are replaced by quantum mechanics. In this program of study, we will identify certain dynamical quantum-mechanical processes that may improve future technology, from high-efficiency solar cells to an ultrafast robust memory, and even much more transformative ideas to perform computations in a fundamentally new way: quantum computing. Using modern high-level techniques, we will make testable predictions about new quantum-dynamical effects that might be exploited to improve the above-mentioned technologies. To achieve this goal, we are looking (theoretically) for quantum effects in a place where they have previously often been ignored, but where there is a very significant potential to find them: In "spins". Spins are the intrinsic magnetic moments possessed by all electrons and most nuclei. Spins are what make MRI imaging possible -- an MRI is an "image" of the nuclear spins in your body. Until very recently, it was believed by many that quantum-mechanical effects would only be relevant in spins on very short time scales, too short to measure or use for any reasonable purpose. However, a series of experiments performed over the last 5-10 years has now shown, time and again, that the "quantumness" of spins is much, much more robust than previously believed. Since spins are so ubiquitous, found in everything in nature, this realization has led many people to speculate that quantum-mechanical effects are essential to describe everything from photosynthesis to bird migration! Many people remain skeptical. To settle the debate, it is important to develop methods of controllably predicting quantum-mechanical behaviour, so that we can "design" model systems in which that quantum behaviour can be verified and then exploited to our advantage in future technology. This is the essential goal of the this program.