Co-proposed quantum computing with electron spins in quantum dots and helped develop the theoretical and institutional foundations of semiconductor-spin quantum information processing.
arXiv / Physical Review AarXiv / NanotechnologyUniversity of BaselLoss helped turn the spin of a confined electron into a detailed proposal for a quantum-computing building block. The shared Loss–DiVincenzo architecture specifies how spins could store information and interact to perform gates, while later work examines the obstacles between that proposal and an operating machine. His Basel research and participation in NCCR SPIN connect the theoretical program to a broader semiconductor-qubit effort. Inclusion recognizes an architectural contribution and sustained research activity, without assigning him every subsequent experimental result in the field.
University of BaselarXiv / Physical Review AarXiv / NanotechnologyDefining contributions
Work, in context- 1998
Electron spins as quantum-dot qubits
With David DiVincenzo, Loss proposed a universal quantum-computing architecture using the spins of single electrons in coupled quantum dots. The gates rely on local spin operations and controlled interactions between neighboring dots. The original paper also analyzes gate quality in the presence of environmental decoherence.
Joint theoretical proposal by Daniel Loss and David P. DiVincenzo.
Source-supported recordarXiv / Physical Review A - 2005
From architecture to implementation requirements
Loss co-authored a detailed tutorial with Veronica Cerletti, W. A. Coish and Oliver Gywat that examines solid-state spin-computing proposals, experimental progress and unresolved obstacles. Its treatment of the Loss–DiVincenzo approach connects theoretical requirements with experiments needed to make quantum-dot computing work.
Co-author with Veronica Cerletti, W. A. Coish and Oliver Gywat of the tutorial.
Source-supported recordarXiv / Nanotechnology - 2020
A shared program for silicon spin qubits
The University of Basel records Loss as a founding member and co-director of NCCR SPIN from 2020. This institutional role places his theoretical work within a coordinated research effort on spin qubits in silicon. His university biography also documents his Basel professorship and leadership of its quantum-computing and coherence center.
Founding member and co-director role recorded by the University of Basel.
Source-supported recordUniversity of Basel
Keep in perspective
The original quantum-dot architecture is a joint proposal with David DiVincenzo. Later device achievements belong to the teams that report them; a proposal is not itself a demonstration of a working processor.
Follow the evidence
3 sourcesPrimary papers, institutional records and attributed announcements. Each source supports the claims linked above.
- University of BaselInstitutional profile
Prof. Dr. Daniel Loss: CV and Research Interests
Professor of Theoretical Physics at Basel; institutional address; QC2 directorship and NCCR SPIN founding/co-director role from 2020.
Checked 2026-09-19 - arXiv / Physical Review APrimary research
Quantum Computation with Quantum Dots
Joint proposal, authorship and quantum-dot spin-gate mechanism.
Published 1997-01-08 · Checked 2026-09-19 - arXiv / NanotechnologyPrimary research
Recipes for spin-based quantum computing
Tutorial authorship; theoretical and experimental implementation obstacles; journal reference Nanotechnology 16, R27 (2005).
Published 2004-12-01 · Checked 2026-09-19