Decay of spin coherences in one-dimensional spin systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates how multi-spin states in one-dimensional spin chains decay using NMR techniques, providing insights that could improve decoherence protection strategies in quantum systems.

Contribution

It offers an experimental and analytical study of spin coherence decay in 1D systems, highlighting their slower decay compared to 3D systems and potential for better decoupling.

Findings

Slower decay rate in 1D spin chains compared to 3D systems

Decay rate linked to initial state coherence and correlations

Analytical model accurately describes decay dynamics

Abstract

Strategies to protect multi-qubit states against decoherence are difficult to formulate because of their complex many-body dynamics. A better knowledge of the decay dynamics would help in the construction of decoupling control schemes. Here we use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to experimentally investigate the decay of coherent multi-spin states in linear spin chains. Leveraging on the quasi-one-dimensional geometry of Fluorapatite crystal spin systems, we can gain a deeper insight on the multi-spin states created by the coherent evolution, and their subsequent decay, than it is possible in 3D systems. We are then able to formulate an analytical model that captures the key features of the decay. We can thus compare the decoherence behavior for different initial states of the spin chain and link their decay rate to the state characteristics, in particular their coherence and long-range correlation among spins. Our experimental and theoretical study shows that the spin chains undergo a rich dynamics, with a slower decay rate than for the 3D case, and thus might be more amenable to decoupling techniques.