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Long-distance coherent coupling in a quantum dot array

Nature Nanotechnology volume 8, pages 432–437 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Controlling long-distance quantum correlations is central to quantum computation and simulation. In quantum dot arrays, experiments so far rely on nearest-neighbour couplings only, and inducing long-distance correlations requires sequential local operations. Here, we show that two distant sites can be tunnel-coupled directly. The coupling is mediated by virtual occupation of an intermediate site, with a strength that is controlled via the energy detuning of this site. It permits a single charge to oscillate coherently between the outer sites of a triple dot array without passing through the middle, as demonstrated through the observation of Landau–Zener–Stückelberg interference. The long-distance coupling significantly improves the prospects of fault-tolerant quantum computation using quantum dot arrays, and opens up new avenues for performing quantum simulations in nanoscale devices.

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Figure 1: Linear array of three quantum dots and real-time tunnelling measurements.
Figure 2: Co-tunnelling between outer dots.
Figure 3: Real-time tunnelling.
Figure 4: Microwave-driven transitions.
Figure 5: LZS interference.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge discussions with T. Baart, R. Hanson, E. Kawakami, L. Kouwenhoven, Y. Nazarov, G. Platero, P. Scarlino and M. Shafiei, and thank A. van der Enden, J. Haanstra, R. Roeleveld and R. Schouten for technical support. This work is supported by the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM), The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), through the US Army Research Office (grant W911NF-12-1-0354), the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD) and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, TU Delft, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

    F. R. Braakman, P. Barthelemy & L. M. K. Vandersypen

  2. Solid State Physics Laboratory, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland

    C. Reichl & W. Wegscheider

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  1. F. R. Braakman
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  2. P. Barthelemy
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  3. C. Reichl
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  4. W. Wegscheider
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  5. L. M. K. Vandersypen
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Contributions

F.R.B. performed the experiment. C.R. and W.W. grew the heterostructure. F.R.B. fabricated the sample. F.R.B. and P.B. carried out the data analysis. F.R.B., P.B and L.M.K.V. contributed to interpretation of the data and commented on the manuscript. F.R.B. and L.M.K.V. wrote the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. M. K. Vandersypen.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Braakman, F., Barthelemy, P., Reichl, C. et al. Long-distance coherent coupling in a quantum dot array. Nature Nanotech 8, 432–437 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2013.67

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