Microfabricated ion trap chips for atomic quantum technology

A fully funded position is available to undertake research in the emerging field of atomic quantum technologies. The position will specialise in microfabricated ion trap chips and their use in coherent control of entangled-ion strings, for applications in sensing, clocks and quantum processor nodes.
The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has developed novel chip-scale ion traps which are made using advanced microfabrication techniques. Next generation devices are under test and excellent ion trapping characteristics have been observed.
The project will evaluate performance of existing microtrap devices and their use in the creation and control of entangled ion strings. This will guide developments to the microfabrication process and novel designs for future devices. Furthermore, these systems will be used to research quantum-enhanced sensitivity; i.e. increasing the spectroscopic sensitivity towards the Heisenberg limit.
The studentship sits at a multidisciplinary interface involving quantum physics, photonics and microfabrication, with immediate applications in quantum technology. The student will contribute directly to funded research programmes and benefit from access to state-of-the-art, well-equipped, laboratory facilities at NPL. The studentship is funded by EPSRC’s Industrial CASE programme, provides for UK/EU tuition fees and stipend, and is available from 1 October 2018. NPL is a partner organisation of the national quantum technology programme.