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Quantum technologies with optically interfaced solid-state spins

Nature Photonics volume 12, pages 516–527 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Spins of impurities in solids provide a unique architecture to realize quantum technologies. A quantum register of electron and nearby nuclear spins in the lattice encompasses high-fidelity state manipulation and readout, long-lived quantum memory, and long-distance transmission of quantum states by optical transitions that coherently connect spins and photons. These features, combined with solid-state device engineering, establish impurity spins as promising resources for quantum networks, information processing and sensing. Focusing on optical methods for the access and connectivity of single spins, we review recent progress in impurity systems such as colour centres in diamond and silicon carbide, rare-earth ions in solids and donors in silicon. We project a possible path to chip-scale quantum technologies through sustained advances in nanofabrication, quantum control and materials engineering.

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Fig. 1: The NV centre in diamond and nearby nuclear spins.
Fig. 2: The silicon–vacancy centre in diamond and colour centres in silicon carbide.
Fig. 3: Rare-earth ions in crystals and optically active donors in silicon.
Fig. 4: Quantum registers for quantum networks and computing.
Fig. 5: Diverse modalities and applications of quantum sensing with impurity spins.
Fig. 6: Photonic engineering for solid-state spins.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Crook, F. J. Heremans, P. Jerger, K. Miao, T. Taminiau, G. Wolfowicz and T. Zhong for illuminating discussions. D.D.A. and B.B.Z. acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation grant EFMA-164109, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research grants FA9550-14-1-0231 and FA9550-15-1-0029, and the Army Research Office QSEP grant W911NF-15-2-0058. R.H. acknowledges support from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) through a VICI grant and the European Research Council (ERC) through a Consolidator Grant. J.W. acknowledges support from ERC grant SMeL, the BW foundation, BMBF grant BrainQSens, and the Max Planck Society.

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  1. Brian B. Zhou

    Present address: Department of Physics, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    David D. Awschalom & Brian B. Zhou

  2. Institute for Molecular Engineering and Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA

    David D. Awschalom

  3. QuTech, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Ronald Hanson

  4. Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Ronald Hanson

  5. Institute for Quantum Science and Technology IQST, and 3. Physikalisches Institut, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jörg Wrachtrup

  6. Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jörg Wrachtrup

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  1. David D. Awschalom
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Correspondence to David D. Awschalom.

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Awschalom, D.D., Hanson, R., Wrachtrup, J. et al. Quantum technologies with optically interfaced solid-state spins. Nature Photon 12, 516–527 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-018-0232-2

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