Dr Lucy Clark focuses on creating and characterising new magnetic quantum materials. Her group are using their knowledge of key chemical and structural components of quantum magnets to develop new quantum states of matter,such as a Quantum Spin Liquid. The development of these new materials is key for the next generation of quantum technologies, including quantum computing, to become a reality.

Why is the Quantum Spin Liquid important?

Unlike in ordinary magnets, the magnetic moments in a quantum spin liquid remain disordered even at absolute zero - but they are still linked through quantum entangle- ment. Because of their entangled and dynamic nature, quantum spin liquids are seen as promising candidates for storing quantuminformation securely, making them attractive for future quantum computing technologies. The complex magnetic interactions required for such states can remain stable even in more unusual, flexible materials, such as hybrid inor- ganic - organic frameworks.

What is a key ingredient for realising such an exotic quantum state?

A simple way to picture this is to imagine three magnetic moments sitting at the corners of
a triangle, each trying to align opposite to its neighbours. If one points up and the next points down, the third one is left with no obvious direction to choose. This kind of com- petition prevents the moments from settling into an ordered pattern, helping them stay disordered - even at very low temperatures.

How is your research making quantum technologies possible?

For the new technologies to be created, you first need the appropriate materials, which is
a major challenge in the field. We are devel- oping methods to make these materials more reliable, stable and reproducible. The funda- mental research into the synthesis of quantum magnetic materials needs to be robust, allowing the gap between theoretical pre- dictions and the next generation of quantum technologies to be bridged.

What role does interdisciplinary collaboration play in advancing research in this field?

The complex nature of this research requires a broad range of scientific disciplines from chemistry, physics, engineering and material science. There’s a symbiotic relationship between theory and experiment. Central facilities in the UK, such as the Diamond
Light Source and the ISIS Muon and Neutron Source, provide key tools for probing quantum magnetic behaviour, making these collabora- tions essential.

What is the most surprising result you’ve found?

One of the most promising methods of syn- thesising magnetic materials was performed in what is essentially a kitchen microwave. The materials we have produced using this new method surpass the physical properties of previous materials made by more conventional means. There are many emerging synthesis techniques, but microwave-assisted synthesis is really promising both for its quality but also its reduction in reaction synthesis timescales, from days or weeks to minutes.