PhD: On-chip hybrid quantum systems: coupling microwaves to magnon-phonon polarons

Reference

SCI2024

Closing Date

Monday, 20th September 2021

Department

Physics & Astronomy

Supervisors: Dr Andrew Rushforth, Prof. Tony Kent, Prof. Andrew Armour and Prof. Andrey Akimov.

This project will be based at the University of Nottingham in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

The project: will develop an on-chip architecture to couple microwave photons to magnon – phonon polarons in ferromagnetic nanogratings. Via direct electrical interfacing with the microwave circuits, we will demonstrate coherent excitation and detection of hybrid magnon-phonon states.

There is currently much interest in engineering the coupling between physically distinct quantum systems in order to control, transfer and detect quantum states, with possible applications including quantum computation, communication and sensing. Crucial to these technologies is the ability to transfer the quanta of energy between different physical systems in a coherent way that preserves the information encoded within the quantum states. Researchers in the Nottingham Spintronics and Terahertz Acoustics groups, along with partners at Dortmund Technical University, have recently developed a method to achieve strong coupling between magnons and phonons, forming a magnon-phonon polaron, in patterned ferromagnetic nanogratings (see https://physics.aps.org/articles/v13/167 and reference F. Godejohann et al., Physical Review B, 102, 144438 (2020)). This experimental project will embed the nanogratings in on-chip microwave resonators and will achieve strong coupling between the microwave photons and the magnon-phonon polarons. The on-chip architecture will lend itself to integration with other physical systems such as optical cavities, acoustic resonators and superconducting qubits (the building blocks of quantum computers).

The project will involve nanofabrication, experimental measurements using electrical transport and optical pump-probe methods, and computer simulations of the microwave, magnetic and acoustic systems.

Eligibility: Candidates should have, or should expect to obtain a 1st or 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in Physics or a related discipline. A good aptitude for experimental condensed matter physics is highly desirable.

Funding: The studentship comes with funding for tuition fees + stipend for 3.5 years at Home (UK) student rates, and can begin in October 2021.

If you are interested in applying for this studentship then please contact Dr Andrew Rushforth ([email protected] ) in the first instance.

This studentship is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.