Combining nanoparticles and quantum computing

Quantum computing is the rage but still in its practical infancy from applicable standpoint. Understanding emerging architectures that make up a quantum computer is a fascinating read and it doesn’t take long to find oneself in the nanosphere. One promising avenue being pursued to form a qubit is in the flaw of nanodiamonds, something called a nitrogen-vacancy. Diamonds, of course, are the amazing crystalline materials with highly ordered structures, regimented atoms all neatly lined up in 3D. However, once in awhile, (or on purpose when fabricating them), a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon and an empty space in the next nicely ordered lattice position happens. This is a NV-center, well known in many circles and well characterized in nanodiamonds. It also so happens that these are great as components of qubits because they last long and they can be manipulated at room temperature.

So, nanodiamonds as specialty nanoparticles are finding fundamental application as the core of a quantum computing architecture. Next we will visit what are using these NV centers to manage…