Coherence in the Ferroelectric A3ClO (A = Li, Na) Family of Electrolytes

Coherence is a major caveat in quantum computing. While phonons and electrons are weakly coupled in a glass, topological insulators strongly depend on the electron-phonon coupling. Knowledge of the electron-phonon interaction at conducting surfaces is relevant from a fundamental point of view as well as for various applications, such as two-dimensional and quasi-1D superconductivity in nanotechnology. Similarly, the electron-phonon interaction plays a relevant role in other transport properties e.g., thermoelectricity, low-dimensional systems as layered Bi and Sb chalcogenides, and quasi-crystalline materials. Glass-electrolyte ferroelectric energy storage cells exhibit self-charge and self-cycling related to topological superconductivity and electron-phonon coupling; phonon coherence is therefore important. By recurring to ab initio molecular dynamics, it was demonstrated the tendency of the Li3ClO, Li2.92Ba0.04ClO, Na3ClO, and Na2.92Ba0.04ClO ferroelectric-electrolytes to keep phonon oscillation coherence for a short lapse of time in ps. Double-well energy potentials were obtained while the electrolyte systems were thermostatted in a heat bath at a constant temperature. The latter occurrences indicate ferroelectric type behavior but do not justify the coherent self-oscillations observed in all types of cells containing these families of electrolytes and, therefore, an emergent type phenomenon where the full cell works as a feedback system allowing oscillations coherence must be realized. A comparison with amorphous SiO2 was performed and the specific heats for the various species were calculated.

Automated summary

Coherence is a significant issue in quantum computing, where electron-phonon coupling plays a crucial role in conducting surfaces and transport properties. Research has shown a tendency for certain ferroelectric-electrolytes to maintain phonon oscillation coherence for a short period of time, exhibiting ferroelectric-like behavior but not fully explaining the observed coherent self-oscillations.