Co-optimization of spin coherence and valley splitting in Si/SiGe heterostructures

Single electron spins can be used to encode and process information in semiconductor quantum devices. Progress has been hindered by materials challenges, such as the small energy splitting between low-lying valley states and hyperfine coupling to nuclear spins. Here we use density functional theory to optimize the valley splitting and spin dephasing time in realistic Si/SiGe heterostructures. Reductions in the Si quantum well width generally increase the valley splitting. However, in narrow quantum wells, a larger fraction of the electronic wavefunction resides in the SiGe buffer layers, which increases the hyperfine coupling with spinful ${}^{73}$Ge. Our work shows that Si/SiGe heterostructures with 3~–~4~nm wide quantum wells and ${}^{73}$Ge and ${}^{29}$Si concentrations of 50 ppm should support average valley splittings $E_v$~$>$~500~$\mu$eV and spin dephasing times $T_2^{\ast }$ exceeding 15~$\mu$s assuming an effective quantum dot area of 700 nm${}^2$. In addition, sharper Si/SiGe interfaces in general result in larger valley splittings and longer spin dephasing times.