Perseguers, S., Lewenstein, M., Acín, A., & Cirac, J. I. (2010). Quantum random networks. Nat. Phys., 6(7), 539–543.
Abstract: Quantum mechanics offers new possibilities to process and transmit information. In recent years, algorithms and cryptographic protocols exploiting the superposition principle and the existence of entangled states have been designed. They should allow us to realize communication and computational tasks that outperform any classical strategy. Here we show that quantum mechanics also provides fresh perspectives in the field of random networks. Already the simplest model of a classical random graph changes markedly when extended to the quantum case, where we obtain a distinct behaviour of the critical probabilities at which different subgraphs appear. In particular, in a network of N nodes, any quantum subgraph can be generated by local operations and classical communication if the entanglement between pairs of nodes scales as N-2. This result also opens up new vistas in the domain of quantum networks and their applications.
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Haviland, D. (2010). Superconducting circuits: Quantum phase slips. Nat. Phys., 6, 565–566.
Abstract: Coulomb interactions can cause a rapid change in the phase of the wavefunction along a very narrow superconducting system. Such a phase slip at the quantum level is now measured in a chain of Josephson junctions.
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Feofanov, A. K., Oboznov, V. A., Bol'Ginov, V. V., Lisenfeld, J., Poletto, S., Ryazanov, V. V., et al. (2010). Implementation of superconductor/ferromagnet/ superconductor. Nat. Phys., 6(8), 593–597.
Abstract: High operation speed and low energy consumption may allow the superconducting digital single-flux-quantum circuits to outperform traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor logic. The remaining major obstacle towards high element densities on-chip is a relatively large cell size necessary to hold a magnetic flux quantum Φ0. Inserting a π-type Josephson junction in the cell is equivalent to applying flux Φ0/2 and thus makes it possible to solve this problem. Moreover, using π-junctions in superconducting qubits may help to protect them from noise. Here we demonstrate the operation of three superconducting circuits-two of them are classical and one quantum-that all utilize such π-phase shifters realized using superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor sandwich technology. The classical circuits are based on single-flux-quantum cells, which are shown to be scalable and compatible with conventional niobium-based superconducting electronics. The quantum circuit is a π-biased phase qubit, for which we observe coherent Rabi oscillations. We find no degradation of the measured coherence time compared to that of a reference qubit without a π-junction.
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Bonifas, A. P., & McCreery, R. L. (2010). ‘Soft’ Au, Pt and Cu contacts for molecular junctions through surface-diffusion-mediated deposition. Nat. Nanotech., 5(8), 612–617.
Abstract: Virtually all types of molecular electronic devices depend on electronically addressing a molecule or molecular layer through the formation of a metallic contact. The introduction of molecular devices into integrated circuits will probably depend on the formation of contacts using a vapour deposition technique, but this approach frequently results in the metal atoms penetrating or damaging the molecular layer. Here, we report a method of forming 'soft' metallic contacts on molecular layers through surface-diffusion-mediated deposition, in which the metal atoms are deposited remotely and then diffuse onto the molecular layer, thus eliminating the problems of penetration and damage. Molecular junctions fabricated by this method exhibit excellent yield (typically >90%) and reproducibility, and allow examination of the effects of molecular-layer structure, thickness and contact work function.
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Heeres, R. W., Dorenbos, S. N., Koene, B., Solomon, G. S., Kouwenhoven, L. P., & Zwiller, V. (2010). On-Chip Single Plasmon Detection. Nano Lett., 10, 661–664.
Abstract: Surface plasmon polaritons (plasmons) have the potential to interface electronic and optical devices. They could prove extremely useful for integrated quantum information processing. Here we demonstrate on-chip electrical detection of single plasmons propagating along gold waveguides. The plasmons are excited using the single-photon emission of an optically emitting quantum dot. After propagating for several micrometers, the plasmons are coupled to a superconducting detector in the near-field. Correlation measurements prove that single plasmons are being detected.
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