Design of DNA-Templated Molecular Dye Aggregates for Excitonic-Based Nanoscale Quantum Gates

Research Problem: In theory, quantum computers can perform certain calculations?some intractable?much faster and with less energy th,an today?s computers; however, current quantum computing approaches generally require intense operating conditions, such as extremel,y low temperature, noise, and humidity. Moreover, the footprint of current devices tends to be relatively large and top-down approac,hes are needed for their fabrication. For quantum computers, the ability to process many decisions at once is due to delocalization, (distributed across many places at once) of the carrier of information or energy (typically electrons) and its coherence (the infor,mation is maintained in multiple states at the same time until measured), which can be easily perturbed by heat. Delocalization is a, key ingredient exemplified in the natural world by the light-harvesting systems of photosynthetic organisms (e.g., bacteria, algae,, plants) that use light-sensitive dye molecules, such as chlorophyll, arranged by using proteins as scaffolds into closely spaced ag,gregates. The energy carrier here is called an exciton (similar to an electron) whereby the exciton is delocalized and quickly moves, across the dyes. Importantly, all of this occurs at ambient temperature.--Objectives of the Project: We at Boise State, and our col,laborators at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL),have worked toward understanding the conditions that are conducive to exciton, delocalization and its electronic coherence, minimizing decoherence, and promoting coherent excitation dynamics over timescales req,uired to enable quantum computing. We are using a bottom-up approach of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) self-assembly (versus the more c,omplicated protein approach) to assemble dye aggregate structures that have footprints that are ~1000x smaller than the other approa,ches and function at room temperature. As a result, the long-term goal of our proposed research is to achieve room temperature molec,ular excitonic quantum computing using rational designs of excitonic quantum gates composed of pre-configured dyes that are template,d and organized through nucleic acid self-assembly.--Technical Approaches: We will select, design, and synthesize materials necessar,y to produce and ultimately characterize the performance of a quantum gate and overcome challenges that preclude reaching this end s,tate. In addition, we will use rational designs of dyes, dye aggregates, and DNA scaffolds, including dye packing arrangements, to o,vercome challenges of dye positioning precision and control.--Anticipated Outcome of the Research. We anticipate that the outcome of, our collaborative proposed research will be an improved understanding of structure-property relationships and design rules for DNA-,templated dye aggregates to achieve excitonic-based nanoscale quantum gates and eventually quantum computing. Impact on Department o,f Defense Capabilities/Future Naval Reliance: The Office of Naval Research?s (ONR) 2018 Naval Research and Development Framework and, Naval Research Enterprise Addendum applies the principles in the framework to ONR and NRL and to ONR?s six Integrated Research Port,folios (IRPs) that illuminate Navy-focused research direction and challenges that must be overcome. Under the portfolio component In, increasingly interconnected force with more rapid and effective decision-making in which data volume, variety, veracity, and veloci,ty drives dramatically improved analysis and management techniques. Successfully developed,ential to advance these techniques in ways that conventional computing cannot achieve.--