Scientists Create Quantum Defect with Atomic Level Precision Control

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made a breakthrough in fabricating defects in materials with atomic-level precision, likened to “playing with atoms like LEGO bricks.” Led by Dr. Weber-Bargioni and Dr. Hautier, the team used a combination of computational analysis and experimental techniques to create and study a specific defect in tungsten disulfide (WS2).

The defect, consisting of a cobalt atom, was fabricated using a scanning tunneling microscope and argon ions. The researchers’ measurements confirmed theoretical predictions, demonstrating the accuracy of their approach. This achievement has significant implications for quantum applications, such as entanglement and quantum communication. The team plans to further study the properties of this defect and identify others with desirable characteristics. Their work is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science and was conducted at the Molecular Foundry and NERSC facilities at Berkeley Lab.

Breakthrough in Quantum Materials: Researchers Identify Defect with Ideal Properties

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have successfully identified and fabricated a defect in tungsten disulfide (WS2) with exceptional quantum properties. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of quantum materials, paving the way for potential applications in quantum computing and communication.

The research team, comprising theorists and experimentalists, employed a novel approach that combined computational analysis with atomic-level precision fabrication. By substituting a sulfur atom with a cobalt atom, they created a defect with unique properties that had not been previously observed in WS2.

To facilitate the discovery of similar defects, the team has established the Quantum Defect Genome, a publicly accessible database that catalogs defects and their properties in various host materials. This resource is expected to accelerate research in quantum materials by enabling scientists to share and build upon each other’s findings.

The fabrication process involved heating a 2D WS2 sample in a vacuum, blasting its surface with argon ions, and then applying a mist of cobalt atoms. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, the researchers precisely placed a cobalt atom into a hole created by the ion blast, effectively “playing with atoms like LEGO bricks.”

Crucially, this method allows for the fabrication of identical defects, which is essential for entanglement in quantum applications. The experimental measurements of the defect’s electronic structure closely matched the computational predictions, demonstrating the accuracy of the theoretical models.

“This study showcases the power of combining cutting-edge computation and fabrication techniques to identify defects with desirable properties,” said Dr. Weber-Bargioni, a researcher involved in the project. “Our collaborative approach has opened up new avenues for exploring quantum materials.”

The team’s next steps will involve further characterizing the cobalt defect’s properties and investigating ways to improve them. They also plan to apply their methods to identify other high-performance defects, potentially leading to the discovery of novel material functionalities.

This research was supported in part by the DOE Office of Science and was conducted at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry and NERSC facilities.