Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, including Sidharth Duthaluru, Kaiwen Zheng, Erik A. Henriksen, and Kater W. Murch, have developed a new method for real-time monitoring of neon film growth, which could have significant implications for the energy sector, particularly in the development of quantum computing technologies. The team’s findings were recently published in the journal Physical Review Applied.
The researchers focused on electron-on-neon (eNe) charge states coupled to superconducting circuits, a promising platform for quantum computing. To control the formation of these charge states, the team needed a way to track and control the growth of solid neon films on the circuit surface. They demonstrated a real-time neon film-growth monitor using high-transition-temperature (high-Tc) YBCO microwave resonators. The high Tc of these resonators enables tracking of the film thickness near neon’s triple temperature and below.
Through more than 300 solidification experiments, the researchers found that the final neon thickness varied stochastically from a few nanometers to a few micrometers for films solidified from the liquid phase. However, by increasing the driving power in the resonator, they consistently reduced the final thickness to below 100 nanometers. This level of control is crucial for the precise formation of neon films required for eNe qubits.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector lie in the potential development of more efficient and powerful quantum computers. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize energy systems by enabling more complex simulations and optimizations, leading to improved energy storage, distribution, and consumption. The ability to monitor and control neon film growth in real-time is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
In summary, the researchers have developed a novel method for real-time monitoring of neon film growth using high-Tc microwave resonators. This technique enables precise control over the formation of neon films, which is essential for the development of eNe qubits and other hybrid quantum systems. The research highlights the broader utility of high-Tc resonators and brings us closer to realizing the potential of quantum computing in the energy sector.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.