Silicon CMOS architecture for a spin-based quantum computer

Recent advances in quantum error correction (QEC) codes for fault-tolerant quantum computing cite{Terhal2015} and physical realizations of high-fidelity qubits in a broad range of platforms cite{Kok2007, Brown2011, Barends2014, Waldherr2014, Dolde2014, Muhonen2014, Veldhorst2014} give promise for the construction of a quantum computer based on millions of interacting qubits. However, the classical-quantum interface remains a nascent field of exploration. Here, we propose an architecture for a silicon-based quantum computer processor based entirely on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, which is the basis for all modern processor chips. We show how a transistor-based control circuit together with charge-storage electrodes can be used to operate a dense and scalable two-dimensional qubit system. The qubits are defined by the spin states of a single electron confined in a quantum dot, coupled via exchange interactions, controlled using a microwave cavity, and measured via gate-based dispersive readout cite{Colless2013}. This system, based entirely on available technology and existing components, is compatible with general surface code quantum error correction cite{Terhal2015}, enabling large-scale universal quantum computation.

Spin-orbit coupling and operation of multi-valley spin qubits

Spin qubits composed of either one or three electrons are realized in a quantum dot formed at a Si/SiO_2-interface in isotopically enriched silicon. Using pulsed electron spin resonance, we perform coherent control of both types of qubits, addressing them via an electric field dependent g-factor. We perform randomized benchmarking and find that both qubits can be operated with high fidelity. Surprisingly, we find that the g-factors of the one-electron and three-electron qubits have an approximately linear but opposite dependence as a function of the applied dc electric field. We develop a theory to explain this g-factor behavior based on the spin-valley coupling that results from the sharp interface. The outer shell electron in the three-electron qubit exists in the higher of the two available conduction-band valley states, in contrast with the one-electron case, where the electron is in the lower valley. We formulate a modified effective mass theory and propose that inter-valley spin-flip tunneling dominates over intra-valley spin-flips in this system, leading to a direct correlation between the spin-orbit coupling parameters and the g-factors in the two valleys. In addition to offering all-electrical tuning for single-qubit gates, the g-factor physics revealed here for one-electron and three-electron qubits offers potential opportunities for new qubit control approaches.

A Two Qubit Logic Gate in Silicon

Quantum computation requires qubits that can be coupled and realized in a scalable manner, together with universal and high-fidelity one- and two-qubit logic gates cite{DiVincenzo2000, Loss1998}. Strong effort across several fields have led to an impressive array of qubit realizations, including trapped ions cite{Brown2011}, superconducting circuits cite{Barends2014}, single photonscite{Kok2007}, single defects or atoms in diamond cite{Waldherr2014, Dolde2014} and silicon cite{Muhonen2014}, and semiconductor quantum dots cite{Veldhorst2014}, all with single qubit fidelities exceeding the stringent thresholds required for fault-tolerant quantum computing cite{Fowler2012}. Despite this, high-fidelity two-qubit gates in the solid-state that can be manufactured using standard lithographic techniques have so far been limited to superconducting qubits cite{Barends2014}, as semiconductor systems have suffered from difficulties in coupling qubits and dephasing cite{Nowack2011, Brunner2011, Shulman2012}. Here, we show that these issues can be eliminated altogether using single spins in isotopically enriched siliconcite{Itoh2014} by demonstrating single- and two-qubit operations in a quantum dot system using the exchange interaction, as envisaged in the original Loss-DiVincenzo proposal cite{Loss1998}. We realize CNOT gates via either controlled rotation (CROT) or controlled phase (CZ) operations combined with single-qubit operations. Direct gate-voltage control provides single-qubit addressability, together with a switchable exchange interaction that is employed in the two-qubit CZ gate. The speed of the two-qubit CZ operations is controlled electrically via the detuning energy and we find that over 100 two-qubit gates can be performed within a two-qubit coherence time of 8 textmu s, thereby satisfying the criteria required for scalable quantum computation.

An addressable quantum dot qubit with fault-tolerant control fidelity

Exciting progress towards spin-based quantum computing has recently been made with qubits realized using nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers in diamond and phosphorus atoms in silicon, including the demonstration of long coherence times made possible by the presence of spin-free isotopes of carbon and silicon. However, despite promising single-atom nanotechnologies, there remain substantial challenges in coupling such qubits and addressing them individually. Conversely, lithographically defined quantum dots have an exchange coupling that can be precisely engineered, but strong coupling to noise has severely limited their dephasing times and control fidelities. Here we combine the best aspects of both spin qubit schemes and demonstrate a gate-addressable quantum dot qubit in isotopically engineered silicon with a control fidelity of 99.6%, obtained via Clifford based randomized benchmarking and consistent with that required for fault-tolerant quantum computing. This qubit has orders of magnitude improved coherence times compared with other quantum dot qubits, with T_2* = 120 mus and T_2 = 28 ms. By gate-voltage tuning of the electron g*-factor, we can Stark shift the electron spin resonance (ESR) frequency by more than 3000 times the 2.4 kHz ESR linewidth, providing a direct path to large-scale arrays of addressable high-fidelity qubits that are compatible with existing manufacturing technologies.

Electron spin blockade and singlet-triplet transition in a silicon single electron transistor

We investigate a silicon single-electron transistor (SET) in a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structure by applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the sample surface. The quantum dot is defined electrostatically in a point contact channel and by the potential barriers from negatively charged interface traps. The magnetic field dependence of the excitation spectrum is primarily driven by the Zeeman effect. In the two-electron singlet-triplet (ST) transition, electron-electron Coulomb interaction plays a significant role. The evolution of Coulomb blockade peaks with magnetic field B is also owing to the Zeeman splitting with no obvious orbital effect up to 9 T. The filling pattern shows an alternate spin-up-spin-down sequence. The amplitude spectroscopy allows for the observation of the spin blockade effect, where the two-electron system forms a singlet state at low fields, and the spin polarized injection from the lead reduces the tunneling conductance by a factor of 8. At a higher magnetic field, due to the ST transition, the spin blockade effect is lifted and the conductance is fully recovered.