Researchers at the Delft University of Technology have demonstrated the ability to control the nuclear spin of an individual atom. The team utilized a modified scanning tunneling microscope to deliver radio-frequency signals directly to the target atom, achieving independent manipulation of the nuclear and electron spins.
The experiment involved an improved double magnetic resonance technique. By applying two distinct signals simultaneously, scientists were able to switch the orientation of the nuclear spin even when the coupling between the nuclear and electron spins was weak. The observed nuclear spin frequencies are 100–1000 times lower than those of electron spins.
This discovery challenges previous theoretical assumptions that direct control of a nuclear spin was impossible under conditions of weak coupling. While the underlying mechanism for this response remains under investigation, the findings offer significant potential for quantum computing development.
Nuclear spins are less susceptible to environmental interference than electron spins, which could lead to more reliable quantum information storage. Utilizing nuclear spin-based qubits may also reduce error rates in quantum computations, though further research is required to fully understand the observed phenomena.
