Stable organic radicals – a material platform for developing molecular quantum technologies

Abstract

An electron spin is a natural candidate for a quantum bit – the quantum information storage unit. Stable organic radicals, consisting of unpaired electron spins, can thus be explored for the development of quantum science and technologies, owing to their excellent chemical tunability and their great promise for scalability. The molecular network formed by the stable organic radicals can be used for the design of spin-based quantum computing circuits. Here the state-of-the-art development of stable organic radicals is reviewed from a variety of perspectives. The categories of stable organic radicals are discussed, emphasizing on the π-conjugated radical networks. The applications of the stable organic radicals to quantum communications, quantum computing and quantum sensing are reviewed. The quantum teleportation based on the donor–acceptor–radical molecular system is reviewed. For controllable quantum gate operations, the spin dynamics in a bi-radical molecule driven by a triplet is discussed. Quantum sensing of lithium ions using stable organic radicals is realized for the development of new energy materials. Quantum timing and quantum imaging are still unexplored by using stable organic radicals. In conclusion, stable organic radicals, especially the π-conjugated radical networks, can make a great new contribution to the development of quantum technologies.