We have recently advertised two postdoctoral research positions: Research Assistant/Senior Research Assistant/Research Fellow in condensed-matter atomic clocks Senior Research Associate/Research Associate in Superconducting Quantum Amplifiers Details are at the links above; interested candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Laird.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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.…
We are seeking a postdoc with expertise in quantum devices to work on an exciting search for dark matter. The closing date is 20 February. If you think you are qualified and would like to learn more, please get in touch. Apply here.
We have just started an exciting project to use quantum electronics to search for dark matter. We will be developing sensitive amplifiers to detect the decay of axions – hypothetical particles that, if they exist, might simultaneously explain dark matter and solve the strong CP problem in particle physics. One PhD studentship is available on…
Our paper Machine learning enables completely automatic tuning of a quantum device faster than human experts has been published today in Nature Communications. Semiconductors are among the most promising materials for making a quantum computer. However, semiconductor devices contain defects, which means that every qubit is slightly different. These differences must be cancelled by adjusting…
We have been awarded a PhD studentship from the Department of Transport to develop a miniature atomic clock. This project is in collaboration with technology company Forsberg Services and runs for up to four years. Unlike standard UK research council studentships, it is automatically open to both UK and EU students. If you think you…
Our paper A coherent nanomechanical oscillator driven by single-electron tunnelling is online in Nature Physics today. When electrical leads are attached to a suspended carbon nanotube, the nanotube’s motion can be detected from changes in the electrical current that passes through it. At the same time, the nanotube experiences a fluctuating electrostatic force depending on…
Our recent experiments have led to three new papers on the arXiv: A coherent nanomechanical oscillator driven by single-electron tunnelling by Yutian Wen describes a carbon nanotube oscillator driven by an electrical current. When we measure a tiny moving object, for example by detecting changes in its conductance, we know the measurement must also disturb…