MRI used to control multiple quantum bits in diamond

MIT Technology Review : In a diamond crystal, a nitrogen–vacancy center occurs when one carbon atom is replaced by a nitrogen atom and one of the four neighboring atom sites is empty. Such N–V centers are one of the avenues of exploration for quantum computing because they provide stable locations for quantum data storage. However, because the states of the qubits in the vacancies are controlled individually, it is difficult to perform quantum calculations. Now, Aharon Blank of the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and his colleagues have used a standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) process to control all of the N–V centers in a diamond at once. Although each of the centers is then examined individually, the ability to control all of the qubits simultaneously is a significant step forward in developing effective quantum-based devices.