Quantum Properties of Semiconductor Nanostructures

Applications are invited for a fully funded EPSRC DTP PhD Studentship to work with Professor Sir Michael Pepper and Dr Sanjeev Kumar of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and The London Centre for Nanotechnology on Quantum Properties of Semiconductor Nanostructures.

The project is based around experimental investigations of electron transport in specifically designed Semiconductor Nanostructures, it will be necessary for the successful candidate to develop a good understanding of Quantum Mechanics as applied in the solid state. The appropriate samples will be designed and fabricated by the Student followed by measurements at low temperatures. New aspects of the physics of the devices will include electrons behaving as if possessing a fractional charge, how electron spins become polarised due to strong confinement when behaviour is one-dimensional and the manipulation of electron wavefunctions by both confining electric fields and the interaction of the spins with the lattice field. The new physical behaviour which will be obtained is not just of importance for basic physics but also points the way to new schemes of Topological Quantum Computation, the principles of which will be explored in the project.

Interested candidates should contact [Email Address Removed] with a covering letter and a full CV (including contact details for at least two academic referees plus marks/grades achieved on current courses if/as applicable). The covering letter should outline your interest in and suitability for, researching the suggested topic.
Successful candidates will be invited to submit a formal application to UCL.