Quantum information processing based on P-31 nuclear spin qubits in a quasi-one-dimensional Si-28 nanowire

We suggest a new method of quantum information processing based on the precise placing of P-31 isotope atoms in a quasi-one-dimensional Si-28 nanowire using isotope engineering and neutron-transmutation doping of the grown structures. In our structure, interqubit entanglement is based on the indirect interaction of P-31 nuclear spins with electrons localized in a nanowire. This allows one to control the coupling between distant qubits and between qubits separated by non-qubit neighboring nodes. The suggested method enables one to fabricate structures using present-day nanolithography. Numerical estimates show the feasibility of the proposed device and method of operation.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Isotopically engineered silicon/silicon-germanium nanostructures as basic elements for a nuclear spin quantum computer

The idea of quantum computation is the most promising recent developments in the high-tech domain, while experimental realization of a quantum computer poses a formidable challenge. Among the proposed models especially attractive are semiconductor based nuclear spin quantum computer's (S-NSQC), where nuclear spins are used as quantum bistable elements, ''qubits'', coupled to the electron spin and orbital dynamics. We propose here a scheme for implementation of basic elements for S-NSQC's which are realizable within achievements of the modern nanotechnology. These elements are expected to be based on a nuclear-spin-controlled isotopically engineered Si/SiGe heterojunction, because in these semiconductors one can vary the abundance of nuclear spins by engineering the isotopic composition. A specific device is suggested, which allows one to model the processes of recording, reading and information transfer on a quantum level using the technique of electrical detection of the magnetic state of nuclear spins. Improvement of this technique for a semiconductor system with a relatively small number of nuclei might be applied to the manipulation of nuclear spin ''qubits'' in the future S-NSQC.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, PostScript, GS vie

Fluctuation-Stimulated Variable-Range Hopping

Qualitatively new transport mechanism is suggested for hopping of carriers according to which the variable-range hopping (VRH) arises from the resonant tunneling between transport states brought into resonance by Coulomb potentials produced by surrounding sites with fluctuating occupations. A semiquantitative description of the hopping transport is given based on the assumption that fluctuations of energies of hopping sites have spectral density 1/f

Structure and spatial distribution of Ge nanocrystals subjected to fast neutron irradiation

The influence of fast neutron irradiation on the structure and spatial distribution of Ge nanocrystals (NC) embedded in an amorphous SiO2 matrix has been studied. The investigation was conducted by means of laser Raman Scattering (RS), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The irradiation of NC-Ge samples by a high dose of fast neutrons lead to a partial destruction of the nanocrystals. Full reconstruction of crystallinity was achieved after annealing the radiation damage at 800 deg. C, which resulted in full restoration of the RS spectrum. HR-TEM images show, however, that the spatial distributions of NC-Ge changed as a result of irradiation and annealing. A sharp decrease in NC distribution towards the SiO2 surface has been observed. This was accompanied by XPS detection of Ge oxides and elemental Ge within both the surface and subsurface region

Transverse "resistance overshoot" in a Si/SiGe two-dimensional electron gas in the quantum Hall effect regime

We investigate the peculiarities of the "overshoot" phenomena in the transverse Hall resistance R_{xy} in Si/SiGe. Near the low magnetic field end of the quantum Hall effect plateaus, when the filling factor \nu approaches an integer i, R_{xy} overshoots the normal plateau value h/ie^2. However, if magnetic field B increases further, R_{xy} decreases to its normal value. It is shown that in the investigated sample n-Si/Si_{0.7}Ge_{0.3}, overshoots exist for almost all \nu. Existence of overshoot in R_{xy} observed in different materials and for different \nu, where splitting of the adjacent Landau bands has different character, hints at the common origin of this effect. Comparison of the experimental curves R_{xy}(\nu) for \nu = 3 and \nu = 5 with and without overshoot showed that this effect exist in the whole interval between plateaus, not only in the region where R_{xy} exceeds the normal plateau value.Comment: 3 pages, 5 EPS figure

Electron transport in a slot-gate Si MOSFET

The transversal and longitudinal resistance in the quantum Hall effect regime was measured in a Si MOSFET sample in which a slot-gate allows one to vary the electron density and filling factor in different parts of the sample. In case of unequal gate voltages, the longitudinal resistances on the opposite sides of the sample differ from each other because the originated Hall voltage difference is added to the longitudinal voltage only on one side depending on the gradient of the gate voltages and the direction of the external magnetic field. After subtracting the Hall voltage difference, the increase in longitudinal resistance is observed when electrons on the opposite sides of the slot occupy Landau levels with different spin orientations.Comment: To appear in Europhys. Let