Emergence of highly coherent two-level systems in a noisy and dense quantum network

Quantum sensors and qubits are usually two-level systems (TLS), the quantum analogues of classical bits assuming binary values 0 or 1. They are useful to the extent to which superpositions of 0 and 1 persist despite a noisy environment. The standard prescription to avoid decoherence of solid-state qubits is their isolation by means of extreme dilution in ultrapure materials. We demonstrate a different strategy using the rare-earth insulator LiY 1− x Tb x F 4 ( x = 0.001) which realizes a dense random network of TLS. Some TLS belong to strongly interacting Tb 3+ pairs whose quantum states, thanks to localization effects, form highly coherent qubits with 100-fold longer coherence times than single ions. Our understanding of the underlying decoherence mechanisms—and of their suppression—suggests that coherence in networks of dipolar coupled TLS can be enhanced rather than reduced by the interactions.