Controlling Quantum Coherence: Toward New Paradigms of Computation

This talk describes experimental progress toward controlling quantum mechanical coherence and entanglement in a solid-state environment. After describing what coherence and entanglement are, I will explain why using these attributes of the quantum world might be useful for information processing. I will then report from the experimental front lines, describing two approaches to this challenging problem: using electron spin as a quantum bit, and realizing nonabelian excitations in the fractional quantum Hall effect.

Suggested Reading:

Review on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/otherpapers/Hanson_RMP2007.pdf

Technical on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/papers/Barthel_InterlacedPRL2010.pdf

Nontechnical on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/papers/DiVincenzo_Science_Perspective.pdf