Quantum Advantage in a Molecular Spintronic Engine that Harvests Thermal Fluctuation Energy

Recent theory and experiments have showcased how to harness quantum mechanics to assemble heat/information engines with efficiencies that surpass the classical Carnot limit. So far, this has required atomic engines that are driven by cumbersome external electromagnetic sources. Here, using molecular spintronics, an implementation that is both electronic and autonomous is proposed. The spintronic quantum engine heuristically deploys several known quantum assets by having a chain of spin qubits formed by the paramagnetic Co center of phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules electronically interact with electron-spin-selecting Fe/C₆₀ interfaces. Density functional calculations reveal that transport fluctuations across the interface can stabilize spin coherence on the Co paramagnetic centers, which host spin flip processes. […]

Chowrira, B., Kandpal, L., Lamblin, M., Ngassam, F., Kouakou, C.-A., Zafar, T., Mertz, D., Vileno, B., Kieber, C., Versini, G., Gobaut, B., Joly, L., Ferté, T., Monteblanco, E., Bahouka, A., Bernard, R., Mohapatra, S., Prima Garcia, H., Elidrissi, S., Gavara, M., Sternitzky, E., Da Costa, V., Hehn, M., Montaigne, F., Choueikani, F., Ohresser, P., Lacour, D., Weber, W., Boukari, S., Alouani, M., Bowen, M., Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2206688. doi