Quantum Computing and Europium Doped Cerium Oxide Nanotubes

Increased interest in quantum computing has prompted research into possible new options for quantum bits (qubits). Current qubits used in quantum computing employ superconducting phases operating at millikelvin temperatures which is costly and a hindrance to large scale implementation. Rare earth doped cerium oxide nanomaterials such as Europium(III)-doped CeO2 are promising options for optical qubits due to their long coherence time, and strong fluorescence possessing a narrow linewidth at room temperature. The fluorescence of different morphologies of europium doped cerium oxide, such as nanocubes, nanowires, and nanorods, has been previously evaluated by the Coffer group. In this research, a new rare earth-doped cerium oxide morphology, nanotubes, was successfully prepared and the fluorescence properties characterized. These doped nanotubes were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), with TEM revealing an average nanotube diameter of ~ 105 nm and energy dispersive elemental analysis of 5 atomic percent europium. The associated fluorescence spectrum showed three peaks near 590, 610, and 630 nm; the peak at 590 nm can be assigned to the 5D0-->7F1 ligand field transition of Eu(III), while 610 nm and 630 nm originate from the 5D0-->7F2 transition. These peaks became stronger and more defined when annealed at 550 degrees Celsius. The spectroscopic properties of this structure are comparable to other Europium doped cerium oxide nanomaterials. Future research includes an analysis of fluorescence properties of these nanotubes at lower temperatures and prepared with different europium concentration.