Thursday, June 13, 2024 - 3:30pm

Abstract: Quantum technologies based on molecular electron spin coherence afford unique potential in miniaturization, spatial localization, and tunability through synthetic chemistry and our ability to leverage and manipulate more complex biological systems. However, many applications within molecular quantum information science hinge on prolonged spin relaxation, a process that effectively leaks quantum information into the environment. Additionally, applications such as quantum sensing with molecular quantum bits (qubits) have only recently undergone exploration. This talk will describe our efforts to translate fundamental molecular quantum coherence studies from purely synthetic systems to biological macromolecules, including metalloproteins. This has allowed for the development of unique insights into decoherence mechanisms, as well as a proof-of-concept approach to biological quantum sensing using metalloprotein active sites. The talk will also present the development and application of ligand field spin dynamics, a molecular paradigm to construct spin relaxation structure-function relationships from physical inorganic spectroscopic observables and elucidate the critical bonding, symmetry, and ligand field vibronic excited-state coupling factors enabling room-temperature coherence.

Speaker: 

Ryan Hadt

Institution: 

California Institute of Technology

Location: 

NS2 1201