A quantum pathway to overcome the trilemma of magnetic data storage

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum approach to magnetic data storage using holmium atoms, overcoming the traditional trilemma by enabling high stability and writeability through quantum tunneling control.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control single atom magnetic states via quantum tunneling, combining classical stability with quantum writeability for data storage.

Findings

Holmium atoms exhibit magnetic bistability at zero field.

Quantum tunneling of magnetization enables writing of atomic states.

Potential for high-fidelity quantum logic operations at the atomic scale.

Abstract

The three essential pillars of magnetic data storage devices are readability, writeability, and stability. However, these requirements compete as magnetic domain sizes reach the fundamental limit of single atoms and molecules. The proven magnetic bistability of individual holmium atoms on magnesium oxide appeared to operate within this magnetic trilemma, sacrificing writeability for unprecedented stability. Using the magnetic stray field created by the tip of a spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscope (SP-STM), we controllably move the Ho state into the quantum regime, allowing us to write its state via the quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). We find that the hyperfine interaction causes both the excellent magnetic bistability, even at zero applied magnetic field, and the avoided level crossings which we use to control the magnetic state via QTM. We explore how to use such a system to realize a high-fidelity single atom NOT gate (inverter). Our approach reveals the prospect of combining the best traits of the classical and quantum worlds for next generation data storage.