Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a novel design idea for next-generation carbon-based quantum materials in the form of a small magnetic nanographene with a distinct butterfly shape that houses strongly correlated spins.

This innovative design has the potential to expedite the growth of quantum materials, which are critical for the development of advanced quantum computing technologies that will revolutionize information processing and high-density storage capacities.

Associate Professor Lu Jiong of the NUS Department of Chemistry and Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials headed the project, which also included Professor Wu Jishan from the NUS Department of Chemistry and international collaborators.

Magnetic nanographene, a nanostructure comprised of graphene molecules, has exceptional magnetic capabilities due to the behavior of particular electrons in the carbon atoms’ π-orbitals. These unique electrons can be controlled by precisely arranging these carbon atoms at the nanoscale.

This makes nanographene particularly promising for producing incredibly small magnets and the essential building pieces required for quantum computers, known as quantum bits or qubits.

To read more, click here.