The project is to create and perform experiments with new types of superconducting probes for quantum liquids: vibrating nanowires and precisely controllable levitating spheres. Recently we have made a significant progress in the development of these instruments, and we will try to explore several outstanding problems.
Firstly, pinning and nucleation of vortices in superfluid helium-4. Currently, there are two contradictory pictures of how vortices attach (‘pin’) to surfaces and how it affects their motion. The levitating sphere offers a new type of experimental topology and has the power to resolve this issue, while the nanowires offer high enough sensitivities to resolve dynamics of a single vortex.
Secondly, the surface-bound states in superfluid helium-3 at microkelvin temperatures represent a largely unexplored physical system with potentially extremely unusual properties. We have recently demonstrated how to probe this system by driving it out of equilibrium, and the new instruments promise to enhance our capabilities.
Scientific Environment
We perform experiments on superfluids and other materials with applications in areas such as nanoelectronics, cosmology and turbulence.
The group has a strong international reputation for performing state-of-the-art experiments at the lowest achievable temperatures. Our custom-made dilution refrigerators, built in-house, achieve world-record low temperatures.
We are well known for providing these sub-millikelvin low temperature environments with advanced in-house cryogenic engineering, and for our accompanying expertise in ultra-sensitive measurement techniques and the development of specialised instrumentation.
Creating, controlling and exploiting the ultra-low temperature environment has proven crucial for the research and development of quantum-enhanced devices. Our platform technology provides the extreme cold and isolation necessary to probe the subtle quantum behaviours that are otherwise hidden by thermal fluctuations or external disturbance.
We have a broad research portfolio in low temperature physics and specialise in quantum fluids and solids research.
This 3.5-year PhD programme will be based at Lancaster University’s Ultralow temperature laboratory, provisional start date October 2023. We encourage you to contact Dr Samuli Autti [Email Address Removed] for informal inquiries.
Applicants are normally expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics, supplemented by a relevant Master's-level qualification.
Potential applicants are invited to apply to the physics department through this link: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/physics/study/phd/
The Lancaster Physics Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award and JUNO Champion status and is strongly committed to fostering inclusion and diversity within its community.
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