In a groundbreaking study, physicists in Japan have made a significant breakthrough in maintaining the critical state of electron spins in quantum systems at room temperature. By arranging light-absorbing molecules in an ordered fashion within a metal-organic framework (MOF), they were able to preserve the superposition state of electron spins for 100 nanoseconds. This advancement offers new possibilities for the development of quantum technology that doesn’t require the expensive and bulky cooling equipment currently necessary to keep particles in a coherent form.
Quantum objects, unlike the objects we encounter in our daily lives, exist in a state of uncertainty until they are observed. Until their characteristics are measured, they exist in a superposition, smeared over a range of possibilities. This property allows for the creation of powerful quantum computers, secure communication systems, and sensitive measurement devices.
However, any interaction with the environment can disrupt the delicate quantum state, rendering it useless. This is not a problem if the system is kept at extremely low temperatures, but researchers have long dreamed of achieving these quantum states at room temperature to reduce costs and increase the feasibility of practical applications.
The team of physicists achieved this milestone by embedding light-absorbing molecules called chromophores into a metal-organic framework. These chromophores absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths, and when they rotate within the framework, pairs of electrons with matching spins are brought into a superposition state. The researchers used microwaves to probe these transformed electron states and demonstrated that the coherence could be maintained for 100 nanoseconds at room temperature.
This breakthrough opens up new avenues for room-temperature molecular quantum computing and quantum sensing of various compounds. By harnessing the properties of quantum systems without the need for extreme cooling, the potential for quantum technology becomes more accessible and practical.
Further research and optimization of this approach could extend the coherence duration and pave the way for the development of advanced quantum devices that operate at room temperature. The findings of this study, published in Science Advances, mark a significant step toward unlocking the full potential of quantum technology for everyday applications.
The source of the article is from the blog reporterosdelsur.com.mx