2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Byung Kim

Abstract

Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field in physics with the potential to solve complex problems that are beyond the capabilities of classical computers. This advantage comes from the use of qubits, which can exist in multiple states rather than the fixed binary states of classical bits. A major challenge in quantum computing research, however, is that most experiments require extremely low temperatures — often near −270°C — to maintain quantum behavior. Achieving these temperatures demands expensive, specialized equipment, making such research difficult to access for many scientists.

The organic molecule diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) offers a promising solution to this limitation. DPPH contains a single unpaired electron and is one of the few known molecules that remain stable at room temperature. Because of this stability, it is an ideal candidate for studying electron spin and potentially developing room-temperature qubits, which could significantly lower the barriers to quantum research.

In this experiment, the electron spin resonance (ESR) of DPPH was investigated. The unpaired electron, located on a nitrogen atom, has zero orbital angular momentum and can exist in either a spin-up or spin-down state. Resonance absorption occurs when the energy of an applied photon matches the magnetic energy splitting between these states. A vial of DPPH powder was placed in a probe operating between 30 and 75 MHz and positioned between Helmholtz coils that generated a controlled magnetic field. Measurements showed a linear relationship between magnetic field strength and resonant frequency, consistent with established literature and instructional models. These results demonstrate that DPPH can be accurately studied at room temperature, supporting its potential use in future nano-engineering and quantum computing applications.

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