Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:cond-mat/0104499

STM measurement of single spin relaxation time in superconductors.

Ivar Martin, Alexander V. Balatsky

Published Jan 1, 2008• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545(Printed February 1, 2008)Localized spin states in conventional superconductors at low temperatures are expected to havelong decoherence time due to the strong suppression of spin relaxation channels. We propose ascanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiment allowing the direct measurement of the decoher-ence time of a single spin in a conventional superconductor. The experimental setup can be readilyapplied to general-purpose spin-polarized STM and to local spin relaxation spectroscopy. A possibleextension of the setup to a quantum information processing scheme is discussed.

Related papers

Theory of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Measurement of Single Spin Decoherence in a Superconductor

Jurij Šmakov, Ivar Martin, Alexander V. Balatsky

Localized spin states in conventional superconductors at low temperatures are expected to have a long decoherence time due to the strong suppression of spin relaxation channels. We propose a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiment allowing the direct measurement of the decoherence time of a single spin in a conventional superconductor. The experimental setup can be readily applied to general-purpose spin-polarized STM and to local spin relaxation spectroscopy. A possible extension of the setup to a quantum information processing scheme is discussed.

Physical Review Letters•Jan 2, 2002•8 citations

Static Stern-Gerlach effect in magnetic force microscopy

G. P. Berman, G. D. Doolen, P. C. Hammel +1 more

We examine static single-spin measurements using magnetic-force microscopy methods. We show that these measurements could be carried out at millikelvin temperatures. A simple estimate of the decoherence time is presented. Possible experiments for measuring single-spin relaxation processes and the use of these measurements in quantum computations are discussed.

Physical Review A•Feb 20, 2002•7 citations

On the interpretation of Hahn echo measurements in electron spin resonance scanning tunneling microscopy

Paul Greule, Wantong Huang, Máté Stark +5 more

Electron spin resonance scanning tunneling microscopy (ESR-STM) has become a powerful tool for probing spin dynamics and coherence of individual atoms and molecules on surfaces. In this work, we perform Rabi oscillation and Hahn echo pulse protocols on individual iron phthalocyanine (FePc) molecules on MgO/Ag(001) using ESR-STM. While Hahn echo protocols are widely used to extract spin coherence times, we show that in ESR-STM they are particularly susceptible to misinterpretation due to tunneling electrons generated by the applied radio-frequency (RF) voltage. The RF voltage not only drives the spin, but simultaneously probes and relaxes it, which consequently leads to an exponential decay that reflects spin relaxation rather than intrinsic phase coherence. We moreover show that varying both delay times in the refocusing pulse sequence is a reliable way to ensure a coherent nature of the echo signal. The extracted decay for the latter protocol suggests that T2 is approximately 30 ns and is thus closer to the decoherence time observed in Rabi oscillation measurements. This is significantly shorter than values reported in previous echo measurements. Our findings underscore the need for caution in interpreting T2 times from Hahn echo and Carr-Purcell protocols in ESR-STM and provide practical criteria for distinguishing true spin echoes from tunneling-induced relaxometry signals.

cond-mat.mes-hallCross-listedarXiv:2603.26255•Mar 30, 2026

Solid-State Quantum Computer Based on Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

G. P. Berman, Geoffrey W. Brown, M. E. Hawley +1 more

We propose a solid-state nuclear-spin quantum computer based on application of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and well-developed silicon technology. It requires the measurement of tunneling-current modulation caused by the Larmor precession of a single electron spin. Our envisioned STM quantum computer would operate at the high magnetic field (approximately 10 T) and at low temperature approximately 1 K.

arXiv:quant-ph/0103008•Physical Review Letters•Aug 13, 2001•33 citations

Theory of Electron Spin Resonance Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: The First Decade

Saba Taherpour, Denis Janković, Jose Reina-Galvez +2 more

Electron spin resonance in scanning tunneling microscopy enabled the study of electronic transitions of magnetic impurities on surfaces at the atomic scale. This ESR-STM technique allows to spectroscopically probe and coherently manipulate spins using an all-electrical method without oscillating external magnetic driving fields. Here, we aim to review recent advancements in ESR-STM. We will discuss possible fundamental mechanisms by which the electric field drives spin resonance based on Heisenberg exchange, Kondo scattering, and Anderson impurity models. We validate theoretical predictions against experimental observations, to understand how electronic correlations, spin exchange, and many-body effects manifest in ESR-STM signals. After reviewing coherent spin control in the STM junction, we discuss potential applications of the ESR-STM method for coherent multi-spin control which enables multiple-qubit operations. Finally, we address recent developments in coupled electron-nuclear spin systems, including hyperfine-resolved ESR spectroscopy, and the driving and polarization of nuclear spins in ESR-STM.

cond-mat.mes-hallCross-listedarXiv:2606.27830•Jun 29, 2026

Tunneling Measurement of a Single Quantum Spin

Lev N. Bulaevskii, Gerardo Ortíz

Measurement of the tunneling current of spin-polarized electrons via a molecule with a localized spin provides information on the orientation of that spin. We show that a strong tunneling current due to the shot noise suppresses the spin dynamics, such as the spin precession in an external magnetic field, and the relaxation due to the environment (quantum Zeno effect). A weak tunneling current preserves the spin precession with the oscillatory component of the current of the same order as the noise. We propose an experiment to observe the Zeno effect in a tunneling system and describe how the tunneling current may be used to read a qubit represented by a single spin 1/2.

Physical Review Letters•Jan 30, 2003•25 citations
Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545(Printed February 1, 2008)Localized spin states in conventional superconductors at low temperatures are expected to havelong decoherence time due to the strong suppression of spin relaxation channels. We propose ascanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiment allowing the direct measurement of the decoher-ence time of a single spin in a conventional superconductor. The experimental setup can be readilyapplied to general-purpose spin-polarized STM and to local spin relaxation spectroscopy. A possibleextension of the setup to a quantum information processing scheme is discussed.
Localized spin states in conventional superconductors at low temperatures are expected to have a long decoherence time due to the strong suppression of spin relaxation channels. We propose a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiment allowing the direct measurement of the decoherence time of a single spin in a conventional superconductor. The experimental setup can be readily applied to general-purpose spin-polarized STM and to local spin relaxation spectroscopy. A possible extension of the setup to a quantum information processing scheme is discussed.
Electron spin resonance scanning tunneling microscopy (ESR-STM) has become a powerful tool for probing spin dynamics and coherence of individual atoms and molecules on surfaces. In this work, we perform Rabi oscillation and Hahn echo pulse protocols on individual iron phthalocyanine (FePc) molecules on MgO/Ag(001) using ESR-STM. While Hahn echo protocols are widely used to extract spin coherence times, we show that in ESR-STM they are particularly susceptible to misinterpretation due to tunneling electrons generated by the applied radio-frequency (RF) voltage. The RF voltage not only drives the spin, but simultaneously probes and relaxes it, which consequently leads to an exponential decay that reflects spin relaxation rather than intrinsic phase coherence. We moreover show that varying both delay times in the refocusing pulse sequence is a reliable way to ensure a coherent nature of the echo signal. The extracted decay for the latter protocol suggests that T2 is approximately 30 ns and is thus closer to the decoherence time observed in Rabi oscillation measurements. This is significantly shorter than values reported in previous echo measurements. Our findings underscore the need for caution in interpreting T2 times from Hahn echo and Carr-Purcell protocols in ESR-STM and provide practical criteria for distinguishing true spin echoes from tunneling-induced relaxometry signals.
Electron spin resonance in scanning tunneling microscopy enabled the study of electronic transitions of magnetic impurities on surfaces at the atomic scale. This ESR-STM technique allows to spectroscopically probe and coherently manipulate spins using an all-electrical method without oscillating external magnetic driving fields. Here, we aim to review recent advancements in ESR-STM. We will discuss possible fundamental mechanisms by which the electric field drives spin resonance based on Heisenberg exchange, Kondo scattering, and Anderson impurity models. We validate theoretical predictions against experimental observations, to understand how electronic correlations, spin exchange, and many-body effects manifest in ESR-STM signals. After reviewing coherent spin control in the STM junction, we discuss potential applications of the ESR-STM method for coherent multi-spin control which enables multiple-qubit operations. Finally, we address recent developments in coupled electron-nuclear spin systems, including hyperfine-resolved ESR spectroscopy, and the driving and polarization of nuclear spins in ESR-STM.
Measurement of the tunneling current of spin-polarized electrons via a molecule with a localized spin provides information on the orientation of that spin. We show that a strong tunneling current due to the shot noise suppresses the spin dynamics, such as the spin precession in an external magnetic field, and the relaxation due to the environment (quantum Zeno effect). A weak tunneling current preserves the spin precession with the oscillatory component of the current of the same order as the noise. We propose an experiment to observe the Zeno effect in a tunneling system and describe how the tunneling current may be used to read a qubit represented by a single spin 1/2.