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Prof Phil Meeson
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
It is possible for the surface of liquid 4He to support electrons. Below 2.2 K the liquid is in
a quantum mechanical groundstate known as a superfluid, the surface of the liquid is the
most perfect material support known. Attracted by the image of their own charge in the
dielectric mirror that is the Helium, the electrons ‘float’ some tens of nanometres above
the surface of the liquid in a set of quantum states that vary in energy with vertical
distance from the surface, in a one dimensional analogue of the Rydberg states of the
hydrogen atom.
Horizontally, many electrons will form a floating electronic film, with each individual
electron repelling its neighbours, leading to the most perfect two dimensional electron gas
known, it exhibits both fluid and solid behaviour, depending on electron density. In this
project metallic and superconducting electrodes submerged just below the surface are
used to isolate and manipulate single electrons on the surface. With the electrons residing
in potential wells formed by the electrodes, the horizontal confinement leads to a refined
set of quantum levels. By controlling the electrode potentials we may move electrons one
by one from one well to another and by precisely applying radiofrequency photons we may
manipulate the quantum state of the electron. Electron state detection is performed via a
superconducting single electron transistor beneath the Helium surface. We plan a series of
measurements of single electron quantum tunnelling through and thermal activation over
the barriers, RF spectroscopy of the vertical states for multiple and single electrons,
quantum manipulation of single electron states, measurement of the decoherence time of
the electron state and characterisation of the quantum state readout, to name just a few.
The Royal Holloway team are world leaders in this area and collaborate worldwide with
other experimental and theoretical groups. We were the first to demonstrate the isolation
of single electrons in this model system. The PhD project will include training in
nanofabrication, cryogenics and radiofrequency technology and will appeal to candidates
with interests in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology and quantum systems.
a quantum mechanical groundstate known as a superfluid, the surface of the liquid is the
most perfect material support known. Attracted by the image of their own charge in the
dielectric mirror that is the Helium, the electrons ‘float’ some tens of nanometres above
the surface of the liquid in a set of quantum states that vary in energy with vertical
distance from the surface, in a one dimensional analogue of the Rydberg states of the
hydrogen atom.
Horizontally, many electrons will form a floating electronic film, with each individual
electron repelling its neighbours, leading to the most perfect two dimensional electron gas
known, it exhibits both fluid and solid behaviour, depending on electron density. In this
project metallic and superconducting electrodes submerged just below the surface are
used to isolate and manipulate single electrons on the surface. With the electrons residing
in potential wells formed by the electrodes, the horizontal confinement leads to a refined
set of quantum levels. By controlling the electrode potentials we may move electrons one
by one from one well to another and by precisely applying radiofrequency photons we may
manipulate the quantum state of the electron. Electron state detection is performed via a
superconducting single electron transistor beneath the Helium surface. We plan a series of
measurements of single electron quantum tunnelling through and thermal activation over
the barriers, RF spectroscopy of the vertical states for multiple and single electrons,
quantum manipulation of single electron states, measurement of the decoherence time of
the electron state and characterisation of the quantum state readout, to name just a few.
The Royal Holloway team are world leaders in this area and collaborate worldwide with
other experimental and theoretical groups. We were the first to demonstrate the isolation
of single electrons in this model system. The PhD project will include training in
nanofabrication, cryogenics and radiofrequency technology and will appeal to candidates
with interests in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology and quantum systems.
Funding Notes
PhD funding will be via EPSRC DTA award.
This experimental project will challenge and reward the technical and intellectual abilities of a well qualified graduate in physics.
This experimental project will challenge and reward the technical and intellectual abilities of a well qualified graduate in physics.
References
"Qubits with electrons on liquid helium"
M.I.Dykman, P.M.Platzman and P.Seddighrad. Phys.Rev. B67, 155402 (2003).
"Observation of dynamical ordering in a confined Wigner crystal"
P.Glasson, V.Dotsenko, P.Fozooni, M.J.Lea, G.Papageorgiou, S.E. Andresen and A.Kristensen. Phys. Rev. Lett., 87, 176802 (2001).
"Microwave saturation of the Rydberg states of electrons on helium"
E.Collin, W.Bailey, P.Fozooni, P.G.Frayne, P.Glasson, K.Harrabi, M.J.Lea and G.Papageorgiou. Phys. Rev. Lett., 89, 245301 (2002).
"Counting Individual Trapped Electrons on Liquid Helium"
G. Papageorgiou, P. Glasson, K. Harrabi, V.Antonov, E.Collin, P.Fozooni, P.G.Frayne, D.G.Rees Y.Mukharsky and M.J.Lea. App. Phys. Lett. 86, 153106 (2005).
M.I.Dykman, P.M.Platzman and P.Seddighrad. Phys.Rev. B67, 155402 (2003).
"Observation of dynamical ordering in a confined Wigner crystal"
P.Glasson, V.Dotsenko, P.Fozooni, M.J.Lea, G.Papageorgiou, S.E. Andresen and A.Kristensen. Phys. Rev. Lett., 87, 176802 (2001).
"Microwave saturation of the Rydberg states of electrons on helium"
E.Collin, W.Bailey, P.Fozooni, P.G.Frayne, P.Glasson, K.Harrabi, M.J.Lea and G.Papageorgiou. Phys. Rev. Lett., 89, 245301 (2002).
"Counting Individual Trapped Electrons on Liquid Helium"
G. Papageorgiou, P. Glasson, K. Harrabi, V.Antonov, E.Collin, P.Fozooni, P.G.Frayne, D.G.Rees Y.Mukharsky and M.J.Lea. App. Phys. Lett. 86, 153106 (2005).
