Theory and design of active quantum circuit elements

Application details:
Reference number: AZ/PH/2020
Start date of studentship: 1st October 2020
Closing date of advert: 14th February 2020

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Alexandre Zagoskin
Secondary supervisor: Sergey Saveliev
The project will allow you to work on the cutting edge of quantum technologies 2.0, which harness the most subtle and counterintuitive quantum effects for practical use in computing, sensing and communications. In this field fundamental science and engineering go hand in hand. You will collaborate with leading experts in the field of quantum engineering and develop skills and understanding crucial for this century’s science and technology.
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College to help you succeed in your research and future career.
Loughborough University has a flexible working and maternity/parental leave policy (https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/leave-absence/family-leave/) and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion providing a supportive and inclusive environment for the LGBT+ community. The University is also a member of the Race Equality Charter which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students. The School of Science is a recipient of the Athena SWAN bronze award for gender equality.
Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/
Full Project Detail:

Until the pioneering work of Chua in 1971, it was taken for granted that there are three lumped circuit elements (two reactive: inductor, capacitor, and one active: resistor), which allow to describe an arbitrary electric circuit. From the considerations of symmetry, Chua showed that there must exist the fourth such element, memristor, which can be considered as a resistor with memory. A realisation of such a structure was only achieved in the early 2000s.
Development of quantum technologies since the 2000s produced qubit-based quantum analogues of capacitors and inductors, which can be in a quantum superposition of states with different values of C and L, respectively. It seems that there exist no quantum analogues to resistors and memristors, because of the inherent dissipation. Nevertheless, such analogues are possible due to nonlocality of transport in mesoscopic structures. You will work on developing their quantitative theory and modelling experimental protocols for their investigation.
Find out more:
See - https://www.lboro.ac.uk/science/study/postgraduate-research/studentships/

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in physics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: quantum theory, statistical mechanics, solid state theory, electrical/electronic engineering, nonlinear dynamics.


Funding information:
This studentship will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to this project and/or any of the advertised projects prioritised for funding by the School of Science.
The 3-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £15,009 (2019 rate) per annum (in line with the standard research council rates) for the duration of the studentship, plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. This studentship is only available to those who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees.

Contact details:
Name: Dr Alexandre Zagoskin
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509-223306


How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select Physics.

Please quote reference: AZ/PH/2020.