Quantum computation using electrons trapped by surface acoustic waves

Abstract

We describe in detail a set of ideas for implementing qubits, quantum gates and quantum gate networks in a semiconductor heterostructure device. Our proposal is based on an extension of the technology used for surface acoustic wave (SAW) based single-electron transport devices. These devices allow single electrons to be captured from a two-dimensional electron gas in the potential minima of a SAW. We discuss how this technology can be adapted to allow the capture of electrons in pure spin states and how both single and two-qubit gates can be constructed using magnetic and non-magnetic gate technology. We give designs for readout gates to allow the spin state of the electrons to be measured and discuss how combinations of gates can be connected to make multi-qubit networks. Finally we consider decoherence and other sources of error, and how they can be minimized for our design.