A research team at the University of Genova has developed the spin quantum battery, an energy storage system that uses the spin degrees of freedom of particles.
A research team at the University of Genova has developed the spin quantum battery, an energy storage system that uses the spin degrees of freedom of particles.
The battery utilizes the spin properties of particles for energy storage and release, with a distinctive charging method that eliminates the need for an external field.
Quantum many-body theory and non-equilibrium physics are longstanding research areas within the quantum condensed matter theory group led by Maura Sassetti at the University of Genova, according to senior author Dario Ferraro.
Researchers merge interests to develop spin quantum battery
Ferraro further explained that his work focuses on quantum batteries—miniaturized devices designed to store energy using quantum mechanical principles. He saw an opportunity to advance this research through Riccardo Grazi’s master’s thesis.
Together with colleagues at the University of Genova, they extended their investigation of spin quantum batteries to a regime involving a significantly larger number of elements. This advancement overcame limitations previously faced with conventional approaches to designing such batteries.
The Italian scientist further explained that the quantum battery works by intercalating two collections of ½-spins, which are the simplest possible quantum systems. By adjusting the interaction between the elements of the two chains, such as shifting one relative to the other, energy can be trapped in the quantum battery in a stable manner.
The developed protocol offers several advantages over existing spin quantum battery designs, particularly by enabling the battery to charge without relying on an external field. Furthermore, the main results of their work include the development of an alternative charging protocol for spin quantum batteries, which relies on time-dependent modulation of one of the system’s internal parameters, as well as the ability to study this protocol in a system with a very large number of elements.
Quantum battery research could lead to neutral atom-based devices
Ferraro and his colleagues suggest this development could open new possibilities in quantum battery research, including the potential to use systems like neutral atoms, which are important in the development of large-scale quantum computers.
The team tested the new spin quantum battery design and charging protocol in a series of initial experiments. The results were highly promising, demonstrating the robustness of the proposed charging method, which does not require precise accuracy to manipulate the battery in real-time.
