Review article published

Our major review article on radio-frequency reflectrometry is now published in Applied Physics Reviews. Congratulations to all those around the world who created this together! Probing quantum devices with radio-frequency reflectometry Florian Vigneau, Federico Fedele, Anasua Chatterjee, David Reilly, Ferdinand Kuemmeth, Fernando Gonzalez-Zalba, Edward Laird, Natalia Ares Applied Physics Reviews 10 021305 (2023) At the time of writing it was the most-viewed article on…

Postdoctoral opportunities in superconducting qubits with moveable junctions

We are seeking up to two postdoctoral researchers to study quantum nanomechanics using superconducting qubits with moveable junctions. For more information, see https://hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=0460-22-R. We can appoint at either of the two standard postdoc grades, i.e. Research Associate or Senior Research Associate, depending on your experience. Coupling between a mechanical resonator and a qubit is a…

New project: quantum amplifiers for dark matter

We have been awarded a new grant to develop radio-frequency quantum amplifiers that can withstand magnetic fields. The most sensitive radio-frequency amplifiers exploit a phenomenon known as kinetic inductance in superconductors. However, these amplifiers do not currently work well in magnetic fields because the kinetic inductance is affected in unpredictable ways (or even eliminated, in…

Postdoctoral opportunity in Superconducting Quantum Amplifiers

We are seeking an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher for a new project to develop a microwave parametric amplifier based on quantum paraelectricity. Superconducting parametric amplifiers are exquisitely sensitive and can resolve signals at the smallest levels allowed by quantum mechanics. We are developing amplifiers that aim to work in a magnetic field, which existing technologies based…

Postdoctoral opportunities: Research Fellows in condensed-matter atomic clocks

We are seeking two postdoctoral researchers to create a condensed-matter miniature atomic clock. For more information, see https://hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=0556-22 We are seeking two Research Fellows to develop a condensed-matter atomic clock. They will join a new and ambitious effort, in collaboration between Lancaster University and LocatorX, Inc., to apply new developments in electron spin resonance to…

Outreach event: Particles, Polymers and Periodicity

On 10 May, you will have the opportunity to hear about our research at the Crafty Scholar pub, which is hosting Lancaster’s Pint of Science event. Edward will be speaking our search for dark matter using quantum amplifiers. For tickets, see https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/particles-polymers-and-periodicity-a-night-of-pick-n-mix-science

How a clock is like a steam engine

Our new work on the thermodynamic cost of timekeeping has been published in Physical Review X. Thermodynamics tells us that there are two fundamental types of machine than cannot operate without releasing heat. One is the mechanical engine, which releases heat to do work, and the other is the computer memory, which releases heat when…

New applications of radio-frequency reflectometry

Radio-frequency reflectometry is an important experimental technique that we use to make fast and sensitive measurements of quantum devices. Its applications keep multiplying. Here are two new ones: Led by Josh Chawner and the Jon Prance group, we have helped devise a new thermometer: Non-galvanic calibration and operation of a quantum dot thermometer by J.…