Public Abstract

DE-SC0022178: Quantum Dynamics of Spin-Based Molecular Systems

Award Status: Active

Institution: Board of Regents, obo, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) - University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
UEI: WLDGTNCFFJZ3
DUNS: 146515460

Most Recent Award Date: 07/29/2024
Number of Support Periods: 4
PM: Holder, Aaron

Current Budget Period: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2025
Current Project Period: 09/01/2023 - 08/31/2025
PI: Varganov, Sergey

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Electron and nuclear spin dynamics play a central role in quantum materials for high-density magnetic memory, spintronics, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. All these applications require stable and controllable spin-based systems, and therefore, a detailed understanding of the factors affecting electron and nuclear spin dynamics. Spin relaxation is responsible for the loss of magnetization in high-density memory applications, while spin decoherence is related to the loss of quantum information in qubits used in quantum sensing and computing. Spin-based molecular systems are ideal for fundamental studies of spin relaxation and decoherence, and valuable for practical classical and quantum information science (QIS) applications because they are structurally well-defined and amenable to synthetic design and scale-up. This EPSCoR Implementation project aims to develop the design guidelines for spin-based molecular systems for applications in QIS using state-of-the-art theoretical and experimental techniques and train the future QIS workforce for the State of Nevada and the DOE National Laboratories. The research is building on the previous work (DE-SC0022178, 09/01/2021-08/31/2023). This project will develop a comprehensive understanding of the contributions from different interactions (spin-vibration, hyperfine, spin-orbit and magnetic exchange) to the quantum dynamics of spin relaxation and decoherence in molecular systems. The research objectives are to 1) synthesize and characterize structurally controllable single-ion and multi-ion lanthanide (Ln) and transition metal (TM) complexes with interesting magnetic and magneto-optical properties to study spin dynamics; and 2) elucidate the role of different spin relaxation and decoherence mechanisms, and determine the design elements that will allow control of these mechanisms for classical high-density memory and QIS applications. The project will lead to a holistic understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and spin dynamics by elucidating the temperature dependence of various contributions to spin relaxation and decoherence mechanisms in different environments. This knowledge will pave the way for the development of stable and controllable spin systems amenable to synthetic design and scale-up, critical for classical high-density memory and QIS applications. The project will train the future QIS workforce for the State of Nevada and the DOE National Laboratories by 1) strengthening the collaborations between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) through the postdocs’ and graduate students’ visits to ANL; and 2) developing and teaching a multidisciplinary course in Quantum Information Science.

Electron and nuclear spin dynamics play a central role in quantum materials for high-density magnetic memory, spintronics, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. All these applications require stable and controllable spin-based systems, and therefore, a detailed understanding of the factors affecting electron and nuclear spin dynamics. Spin relaxation is responsible for the loss of magnetization in high-density memory applications, while spin decoherence is related to the loss of quantum information in qubits used in quantum sensing and computing. Spin-based molecular systems are ideal for fundamental studies of spin relaxation and decoherence, and valuable for practical classical and quantum information science (QIS) applications because they are structurally well-defined and amenable to synthetic design and scale-up. This EPSCoR Implementation project aims to develop the design guidelines for spin-based molecular systems for applications in QIS using state-of-the-art theoretical and experimental techniques and train the future QIS workforce for the State of Nevada and the DOE National Laboratories. The research is building on the previous work (DE-SC0022178, 09/01/2021-08/31/2023).

This project will develop a comprehensive understanding of the contributions from different interactions (spin-vibration, hyperfine, spin-orbit and magnetic exchange) to the quantum dynamics of spin relaxation and decoherence in molecular systems. The research objectives are to 1) synthesize and characterize structurally controllable single-ion and multi-ion lanthanide (Ln) and transition metal (TM) complexes with interesting magnetic and magneto-optical properties to study spin dynamics; and 2) elucidate the role of different spin relaxation and decoherence mechanisms, and determine the design elements that will allow control of these mechanisms for classical high-density memory and QIS applications.

The project will lead to a holistic understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and spin dynamics by elucidating the temperature dependence of various contributions to spin relaxation and decoherence mechanisms in different environments. This knowledge will pave the way for the development of stable and controllable spin systems amenable to synthetic design and scale-up, critical for classical high-density memory and QIS applications. The project will train the future QIS workforce for the State of Nevada and the DOE National Laboratories by 1) strengthening the collaborations between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) through the postdocs’ and graduate students’ visits to ANL; and 2) developing and teaching a multidisciplinary course in Quantum Information Science.