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This research proposes a novel lattice-matched SiGe heterostructure utilizing tensile strain to stabilize light-hole ground states, offering improved spin isotropy and decoherence properties over traditional heavy-hole qubits. The study further demonstrates an electrical switching mechanism between hole-band characters, presenting a significant architectural advancement for scalable quantum computing hardware.
Light-Hole Spin Qubits in Strained SiGe Lattice-Matched to Ge
arXiv:2608.25852v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Strained germanium ($\varepsilon$-Ge) quantum wells on metamorphic SiGe buffers have enabled advanced hole-based spin qubit devices. Alternatively, unstrained Ge with lattice-matched strained silicon-germanium ($\varepsilon$-SiGe) barriers eliminates the need for metamorphic buffers altogether. The ground state character of both these platforms is predominantly heavy-hole (HH) with a largely anisotropic spin response. We propose and study an alternative heterostructure, lattice-matched to Ge, in which both the SiGe quantum well and barriers are tensile strained, with their composition contrast providing the band offset for confinement and the tensile strain stabilizing a light-hole (LH) ground state. We show large spin-orbit coupling (SOC), both linear and cubic, along with a significantly more isotropic spin response compared to strained HH qubits. We also study the decoherence properties of the proposed device, showing an appreciable gain in the quality factor compared to their HH counterparts. Finally, we propose a bilayer heterostructure that allows for electrical switching between HH and LH ground state character.
Abstract:Strained germanium ($\varepsilon$-Ge) quantum wells on metamorphic SiGe buffers have enabled advanced hole-based spin qubit devices. Alternatively, unstrained Ge with lattice-matched strained silicon-germanium ($\varepsilon$-SiGe) barriers eliminates the need for metamorphic buffers altogether. The ground state character of both these platforms is predominantly heavy-hole (HH) with a largely anisotropic spin response. We propose and study an alternative heterostructure, lattice-matched to Ge, in which both the SiGe quantum well and barriers are tensile strained, with their composition contrast providing the band offset for confinement and the tensile strain stabilizing a light-hole (LH) ground state. We show large spin-orbit coupling (SOC), both linear and cubic, along with a significantly more isotropic spin response compared to strained HH qubits. We also study the decoherence properties of the proposed device, showing an appreciable gain in the quality factor compared to their HH counterparts. Finally, we propose a bilayer heterostructure that allows for electrical switching between HH and LH ground state character.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
arXiv:2608.25852 [cond-mat.mes-hall]
(or arXiv:2608.25852v1 [cond-mat.mes-hall] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.25852 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 255 words
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