The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Physics Department of the University of Strathclyde are offering an Industrial CASE PhD studentship in quantum technology.

Unbreakable cryptography, teleportation of information and ultra-fast computing will soon cease to be figments of science fiction literature. These are now considered imminent realities enabled by the upbringing of quantum technologies [1]. Devices that exploit the laws of quantum physics are developing quickly and many materials are presently under scrutiny to build the future quantum hardware [2-3].

This project will investigate quantum effects in silicon carbide (SiC), a wide-bandgap compound semiconductor made of silicon and carbon. The aim of the studentship will be the development of device and testing technologies to electrically probe quantum defects in the semiconductor crystal [4-5]. A central aspect will be the prototyping of novel single-charge and single-spin electronics useful for quantum computing and quantum sensing. This project also aims at enabling large integration and scalability of SiC quantum devices, unlocking their commercial viability.

The research activities will balance device design and modelling, hands-on cleanroom fabrication, as well as electrical measurements at cryogenic temperatures. The student will be involved in making and characterising devices that span from metal-oxide-semiconductor nano-capacitors to LEDs and field-effect transistors.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop technical skills of relevance to both the academic job market and the nascent quantum technology industry. This CASE studentship will provide the student with industrial exposure through hands-on activities at NPL and other corporate partners, such as Hitachi and British Telecom.

[1] The European Quantum Flagship
[2] T.D. Ladd et al. Nature 464, 45 (2010)
[3] D.D. Awschalom et al. Science 339, 1174 (2013)
[4] A. Lohrmann et al. Rep. Prog. Phys. 80, 034502 (2017)
[5] M. Atature et al. Nature Reviews Materials 3, 38 (2018)

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate quantum devices in a clean room environment
• Perform low-temperature experiments and device characterisation
• Analyse and model experimental data with appropriate software (e.g. Matlab, Python etc.)
• Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals
• Travel domestically across collaborating institutions to carry out part of the project’s activities

Host Institution(s)

This project is part of a long-standing collaboration between the Quantum Technology Department at NPL (London) and the Physics Department at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow). The student is expected to carry out most of the research activities at NPL (~90%) where he/she will join the Quantum Electrical Metrology Group. The successful candidate will be also part of a cohort of highly selected students at the Postgraduate Institute for Measurement Science, a multi-disciplinary national centre for research training and skills development in metrology and its applications.

Extended stays at Strathclyde (~10%) will be encouraged throughout the project’s lifespan. Funding for travel expenses between Glasgow and London is readily available.