Quantum Error Correction with magnetic molecules

Quantum algorithms often assume independent spin qubits to produce trivial vertical bar up arrow > - vertical bar 0 >, vertical bar down arrow > - vertical bar 1 > mappings. This can be unrealistic in many solid-state implementations with sizeable magnetic interactions. Here we show that the lower part of the spectrum of a molecule containing three exchange-coupled metal ions with S = 1/2 and I = 3/2 is equivalent to nine electron-nuclear qubits. We derive the relation between spin states and qubit states in reasonable parameter ranges for the rare earth Tb3+ and for the transition metal Cu2+, and study the possibility to implement Shor's Quantum Error Correction code on such a molecule. We also discuss recently developed molecular systems that could be adequate from an experimental point of view. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2015