Peptides as versatile scaffolds for quantum computing

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of peptides, especially lanthanide-binding tags, as scaffolds for quantum computing and spintronics, demonstrating coherent oscillations and scalable qubit systems with potential for advanced molecular spintronics.

Contribution

It introduces peptides as a new versatile platform for quantum computing, including experimental demonstrations and scalable biosynthesis of multi-qubit systems.

Findings

Demonstrated quantum coherent oscillations in a Neodymium peptide qubit.

Biosynthesized double and chain-like multi-qubit systems with controlled environments.

Showed potential for peptide-based structures in spintronic applications.

Abstract

In this work we showcase the potential of peptides as versatile scaffolds for quantum computing and molecular spintronics. In particular, we focus on lanthanide-binding tags, which were originally developed in the field of biotechnology for the study of protein structure and dynamics. Firstly, we demonstrate quantum coherent oscillations in a Neodymium peptidic qubit. Then, employing bacterial biosynthesis, we investigate the possibility of increasing the number of qubits in the same molecular system, with the case studies being a double spin qubit with two distinct coordination environments, and an asymmetric chain of 9 spin qubits with a spin-spin separation of about 2 nm and in an arbitrarily chosen sequence of coordination environments. Finally, we take advantage of biochemical modification for the preparation of paramagnetic, chiral, Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111).Our experimental and theoretical characterization shows that this is a promising structure for spintronic applications, and in particular to improve on two state-of-the-art approaches to molecular spin qubits. We conclude with an overview of the challenges and new opportunities opened by this emerging field.