PhD Studentship: 2D-heterostructure Devices for Nanoscale Quantum Sensing: University of Exeter Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership

The University of Exeter is offering up to 9 fully funded doctoral studentships for September 2024 entry as part of our Doctoral Training Partnership with the EPSRC (Engineering, Physical Sciences Reserach Council).

The University of Exeter offers a world-class education and research in one of the most beautiful locations in the UK. As a Russell Group University our research makes a difference across the world and we’re committed to working with our PhD researchers to make the world greener, healthier, and fairer. Our Doctoral College stimulates, supports and sustains a vibrant research and intellectual environment across and between disciplines for postgraduate and early career researchers. Focusing on investment and development in training, resources and facilities, we provide an outstanding quality experience for those in the early stages of their research careers.

The EPSRC  is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. The EPSRC's portfolio ranges from digital technologies to clean energy, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry.

Competition details

The following project is one of eighteen being advertised as part of a competitive process for funding, there are a maximum of nine awards available.

Project Details

Precision measurement underpins science and technology, and novel sensors that push the fundamental limits of accuracy and precision are required for applications ranging from nano-electronics to medical imaging. Colour centre defects in the two-dimensional semiconductor hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have atom-like electronic transitions that can be probed with optical and microwave techniques [1,2], and thanks to a spatial extension on the scale of the atomic lattice, they can provide an exquisite probe of their local environment. This project will develop an integrated microwave and photonic platform to control and investigate spin based sensors in 2D materials [3]. Nanophotonic computational design will be used to optimise the optical interface and the hBN sensing element will be integrated with other 2D materials to develop electrical spin-initialisation and/or readout. The ultimate aim is to build a new generation of sensors with the highest possible sensitivity and spatial resolution, and to apply nuclear magnetic resonance techniques for single-cell analysis, surface chemistry and point-of-care medical analysis.
The project will include a collaboration with the Quantum Materials Team at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), who will provide access to their precision measurement facilities, including a low-temperature 4-probe scanning tunnelling microscope, which will aid the calibration and qualification of the quantum sensors developed in this project. NPL will also provide access to their Post Graduate Institute for Measurement Science, which will provide additional, industrially relevant training, from world leaders in measurement science.