From thousands of defects, one magnesium oxide qubit emerges as a quantum contender

Argonne National Laboratory researchers identified a promising quantum qubit candidate in magnesium oxide through high-throughput screening of nearly 3,000 defects. They discovered a nitrogen-vacancy center similar to those in diamond, consisting of a nitrogen atom next to a missing magnesium atom. This defect showed potential for long coherence times and favorable optical properties, expanding possibilities for quantum technologies beyond traditional materials. Further experimental work is needed to synthesize and test this qubit.