A Single-Molecule Spin-Photon Interface

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a molecular system that acts as a robust spin-photon interface, enabling single-molecule quantum optics with stable optical and spin properties at cryogenic temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a triplet ground state carbene molecule embedded in a host crystal as a new, stable molecular qubit platform with optical and spin coherence suitable for quantum networking.

Findings

Spectral stability over more than an hour

Single-molecule optically detected magnetic resonance achieved

Millisecond-scale dynamical-decoupling coherence and tens-of-milliseconds spin relaxation at 4.5 K

Abstract

Optical interfaces that connect long-lived spin qubits to photons are a central requirement for quantum networking and distributed quantum information processing. Currently, solid-state atomic defects are leading candidates due to their inherent spin and optical coherence. Building on these advancements, synthetically tailored molecular systems represent a fundamental change in the field, utilizing precise atomic control and consistent bottom-up assembly. However, the lack of a robust spin-photon interface combining bright fluorescence, high spectral stability, and the persistent spin lifetimes inherent to ground-state systems has prohibited the detection of individual molecular qubits. Here we show that a triplet ground state carbene molecule, embedded within a structurally matched host crystal, functions as a robust spin-photon interface with single-molecule addressability. The system exhibits narrow zero-phonon lines, spectral stability over more than an hour, spin-selective optical transitions and single-molecule optically detected magnetic resonance. Coherent control yields millisecond-scale dynamical-decoupling coherence and tens-of-milliseconds spin relaxation at a temperature of 4.5 K. These results establish molecular qubits as a viable platform for single-emitter quantum optics while preserving the advantages of bottom-up chemical design and processable materials.