Group IV solid state proposals for quantum computation

The discovery of the quantum factorization algorithm more than a decade ago triggered intense interest in exploring possible physical realizations of quantum computers. Among the many solid state proposals, electron and nuclear spins in Si and group IV related materials have long coherence times and the capability of state preparation, gating and read-out using electric, magnetic and optical fields. Proposals involving silicon seek to take advantage of an existing mature technology and the implicit promise of scalability from solid state materials. Nevertheless, building such quantum systems depends in many cases on the development of fabrication techniques with nearly atomic precision. Managing decoherence, initialization and read-out in any quantum computer remains a daunting task. In this review we summarize proposals and recent developments relevant to the possible realization of a quantum computer constructed out of Si (or group IV) materials. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.