Empa Young Scientist Fellowship Young researcher makes quantum molecules glow

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Empa researcher Eve Ammerman aims to bring quantum technologies one step closer to practical application by combining quantum effects with light. This is intended to improve communication between future quantum-based devices and existing technologies. Her research project is supported by a two-year "Empa Young Scientist Fellowship."

Quantum technologies are extremely promising. They could be used to tackle computationally intensive problems in the fields of basic research, medicine, and communication. However, before they can be widely used alongside existing technologies, they need to become much more robust. This is because many types of quantum effects only become noticeable at the nanometer scale. Quantum researchers, therefore, often work with individual molecules to observe quantum physical phenomena in isolation. A particularly promising approach is the use of bespoke "designer molecules." However, working with such tiny structures is anything but easy, as Empa researcher Eve Ammerman knows.

The physicist has been researching at the Empa laboratory "nanotech@surfaces" under the direction of Roman Fasel for two years. The laboratory is a pioneer in the production and use of nano-graphene. These nanometer-sized pieces of the two-dimensional carbon material graphene possess distinct quantum physical properties—which can also be controlled by the shape of the molecule. Ammerman is interested in nano-graphene molecules that have a so-called spin. Spin, a quantum mechanical form of magnetism, is considered particularly interesting for quantum technologies. It could potentially be used to realize a qubit, the basic unit of information in a quantum computer. However, for practical application, spin alone is not enough: to interact with the magnetic nano-graphenes, researchers must link the molecules with other components that, for example, provide input and output.

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Communication with light

But how do you "wire" a graphene piece that is only one nanometer in size? "This tiny molecule, which comprises just a few dozen carbon atoms, must not be damaged," says Ammerman. There is also another risk: interactions with the environment can disturb the fragile quantum states in the nano-graphene. In her research project, Ammerman is taking a different approach. She wants to illuminate the spin-carrying molecule—literally. To achieve this, she connects the nano-graphene molecules with a so-called chromophore: a molecule that can emit light. If the spin of the nano-graphene changes, the light of the chromophore changes as well—and this can be measured contactlessly. For her project, the researcher has now received a two-year "Empa Young Scientist Fellowship."

Ammerman anticipates several challenges. How do you link the two molecules so that they can "communicate" without interfering with each other? How exactly must the molecules be structured? And how do you measure the results? "Although there is already quite a bit of research on both nano-graphene and light-emitting molecules, we have hardly any data on what happens when they are combined," she explains. Over the next two years, she plans to fill this knowledge gap—and to develop a molecule duo that can be processed into functional quantum mechanical components. Such components could connect future quantum systems with existing fiber optic technologies. "Working at the interface between fundamentals and application fascinates me," says the researcher.

Talent promotion at Empa

The "Empa Young Scientist Fellowship" is a funding instrument for exceptionally talented young scientists. Fellows receive financial support to conduct an independent research project over two years. The fellowships are awarded through a competitive process to select the projects with the highest potential.

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