Quantum Control of Molecular Carbon

Magnetic states in graphene nanostructures have undergone intense theoretical scrutiny, because their coherent manipulation would be a milestone for spintronic and quantum computing devices. In nanoribbons, experimental investigations now show that quantum coherence of edge and localized graphene states is observable.[1] Several questions remain thus unsolved: how can molecular spins be integrated into electronic structures? Can topological states be used to improve the quantum coherence? Can metals be introduced so as to affect the carbon spin states? Can the quantum spin states be observed in devices? What is the role of electron-electron correlations? Here we try to provide an answer to these questions, exploring spin states in carbon by using molecular synthetic techniques.<br/><br/>Here we show how topological engineering of the carbon lattice can lead to improved coherence, higher than theoretical predictions.[2,3] We then show how such molecular structures can be included into molecular devices, producing magnetoresistive effects that are opposite to non-molecular devices.[4,5,6] The inclusion of metals then allows altering the spintronic properties. [7] We show how such electronic devices show quantum blockade up to room temperature, with different Luttinger liquid regimes available in different ranges.[8] The bright emissive modes offer the possibility of observing the quantum states optically.[9]<br/><br/><b>References</b><br/>[1] M. Slota et al. Nature 557, 691 (2018).<br/>[2] F. Lombardi et al. Science, 366 (6469), 1107-1110 (2019).<br/>[3] F. Kong et al. Submitted.<br/>[4] W. Niu et al. Nature Materials 22 (2), 180-185 (2023).<br/>[5] J. Thomas et al. Nature Nano 1-8 (2024).<br/>[6] S. Sopp et al. Submitted.<br/>[7] Q. Chen et al. Nature Chemistry 1-7 (2024).<br/>[8] A. Lodi et al. Submitted.<br/>[9] B. Sturdza et al. Nature Comm 15 (1), 2985 (2024)