Group IV solid state proposals for quantum computation

Abstract

The discovery of the quantum factorization algorithm more than a decade ago triggeredintense interest in exploring possible physical realizations of quantum computers. Amongthe many solid state proposals, electron and nuclear spins in Si and group IV relatedmaterials have long coherence times and the capability of state preparation, gating andread-out using electric, magnetic and optical fields. Proposals involving silicon seek to takeadvantage of an existing mature technology and the implicit promise of scalability fromsolid state materials. Nevertheless, building such quantum systems depends in many caseson the development of fabrication techniques with nearly atomic precision. Managingdecoherence, initialization and read-out in any quantum computer remains a daunting task.In this review we summarize proposals and recent developments relevant to the possiblerealization of a quantum computer constructed out of Si (or group IV) materials.