Defects in Solids for Quantum Technologies

The ability to create, manipulate and read out quantum states of matter will enable next-generation quantum technologies. Point defect quantum states in solids have applications as single photon sources, quantum bits that can be harnessed for quantum information processing, and nanoscale sensors that may revolutionize information and communication technology, biological research, and biomedical therapy. The leading platform for several quantum technologies is the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, which exhibits long quantum coherence times at room temperature in ambient conditions. There is significant activity aiming to develop other defects in solids, including bright single-photon emitters and spin defects based on point defects in silicon carbide (SiC), silicon (Si), two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), as well as rare-earth ions (REI) embedded into various solids. In parallel, spin systems based on molecules ordered in molecular crystals are also emerging platforms. These new platforms pose broad challenges in controlling material purity, quality, and fabrication, which are especially demanding for quantum applications. First-principles theoretical simulations have been demonstrated as essential tools in understanding the underlying physics of these atomic scale systems as well as in identifying potential new quantum bits and single photon emitters in these materials. Therefore, close collaboration of experimental and atomistic simulation researchers is essential for rapid progress in the field.

The main objective of the special topic is to bring together theoreticians, computational scientists, experimentalists, and material growers working on different semiconducting systems to advance the field of point defect-based solid-state quantum technologies.