Recently, scientists from Florida State University have studied a new type of quantum bit called an electron-on-solid-neon qubit. The team found that small bumps on the surface of solid neon in the qubit can naturally bind electrons, which creates ring-shaped quantum states of these electrons. When the bumps are a certain size, the electron’s transition energy aligns with the energy of microwave photons. Scientists can utilize this alignment to manipulate electrons in a controlled manipulation.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have shown that quantum states of single electron spins can be selectively manipulated using spin-polarized currents (electronic currents with uniformly aligned spins). Unlike electromagnetic field manipulation, spin-polarized currents act very locally and can be steered with a precision of less than a nanometre. Therefore, this current can precisely manipulate electronic circuit elements in quantum devices, offering improved control of the quantum states of magnetic qubits.