Abstract

The quantum nature of a physical system often emerges from its fundamental building blocks and demands a deep understanding to leverage its benefits for future quantum devices. In this talk, I introduce the combination of electron spin resonance (ESR) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as a new platform for coherent control of spins on surfaces (1). This technique enables for instance the addressing of individual atoms on surfaces with exceptional energy resolution. It allowed for high-resolution magnetic sensing, for instance by resolving the hyperfine interaction between electron and nuclear spins of induvial atoms. Recently, we have extended this technique to achieve spin resonance on individual molecules (2), which is particularly exciting as it extends this technique into the realm of molecular quantum technologies: Promising new avenues involve organizing spins through molecular self-assembly into larger structures, alongside the application of on-surface chemistry techniques. As an example, we demonstrate how constructing new complexes through tip-assisted on-surface assembly can lead to spin systems with improved dynamic spin properties (3), that can be coherently controlled.

(1) Chen, Y. et al., Advanced Materials 2023, 35 (27), 2107534.
(2) Zhang, X. et al. Nat. Chem. 2022, 14 (1), 59–65.
(3) Huang, W. et al. arXiv.2410.18563. (2024)