2D nano-semiconductors advancing quantum technology

0
2D nano-semiconductors advancing quantum technology
Stacked up against the rest
An artist’s rendering of moiré excitons in a nano-semiconductor. Credit: KyotoU/Matsuda Lab

Quantum technology is quantifiable in qubits, which are the most basic unit of data in quantum computers. The operation of qubits is affected by the quantum coherence time required to maintain a quantum wave state.

Scientists have hypothesized that moiré excitons—electron-hole pairs confined in moiré interference fringes which overlap with slightly offset patterns—may function as qubits in next-generation nano-semiconductors.

However, due to diffraction limits, it has not been possible to focus light enough in measurements, causing optical interference from many moiré excitons.

To solve this, Kyoto University researchers have developed a new method of reducing these moiré excitons to measure the quantum coherence time and realize quantum functionality. The team has observed changing photoluminescence signals of moiré excitons following the fabrication process. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.

“We combined electron beam microfabrication techniques with reactive ion etching. By utilizing Michelson interferometry on the emission signal from a single moiré exciton, we could directly measure its quantum coherence time,” Kazunari Matsuda of KyotoU’s Institute Advanced Energy explains.

The results show that the quantum coherence of a single moiré exciton remains steady at -269°C for more than 12 picoseconds, 10-times longer than that of an exciton in the parent material, a two-dimensional semiconductor. The confined moiré excitons in interference fringes prevent loss of quantum coherence.

“We plan to establish a foothold for the next phase of experiments for advancing quantum computing and other quantum technologies in the next generation of nano-semiconductors,” adds Matsuda.

More information:
Haonan Wang et al, Quantum coherence and interference of a single moiré exciton in nano-fabricated twisted monolayer semiconductor heterobilayers, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48623-4

Provided by
Kyoto University

Citation:
Stacked up against the rest: 2D nano-semiconductors advancing quantum technology (2024, August 1)
retrieved 6 August 2024
from

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.


link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *