PhD in Engineering: Development of ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors using quantum defects in diamond

This PhD project is joint between the Schools of Engineering at the University of Glasgow and Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot Watt University and will focus on the development of ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors using quantum point defects (such as NV and SiV) in diamond.

Quantum “defects” in diamond provide highly stable, 0-dimensional systems that can be used for a range of sensing applications. Nitrogen vacancy (NV) and silicon vacancy (SiV) centres in diamond have demonstrated the ability to detect very small magnetic fields with the potential to develop more compact and efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. The process of reading out of the information from these quantum systems however is currently very inefficient which has limited their application in real life devices.
This project will investigate new processing and doping techniques to more efficiently interface with quantum defect centres in diamond to produce ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors.

The student on this project will use the world leading facilities in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (http://www.jwnc.gla.ac.uk/) at the University of Glasgow to produce prototype magnetic field sensor devices which will be tested at Heriot Watt University. At the end of the project the student will have acquired a range of experience in nanoscale lithography and processing, microscopy, electrical characterization and simulation and modelling of semiconductor materials and quantum devices.

This project is suited to students with a background in electronic engineering, physics or chemistry. Applicants require an upper-second or first class BSc Honours degree, or a Masters qualification of equal or higher standard, in Physics, Chemistry or Engineering.

Please contact us for more information on appropriate experience for this project.