PhD position: Quantum microscopy and magnetometry of 2D materials

The quantum microscope in our lab utilises a spatial array of electron spins as qubits to image the weak signals from the sample we are targeting [1]. These signals are perturbations which modify the quantum state of the qubits, this is then read out using a wide field optical microscope. By applying quantum control techniques on the qubits in our microscope, we can tailor the sensitivity and susceptibility of the qubit perturbation to suit a particular measurement. Additionally, since our qubit sensors are atom-like in size, we have the ability to measure with very high resolution spatial accuracy.

Our goal is to image the magnetic fields due to currents in 2D electronic materials [2], such as topological insulators. These atomically thin materials have novel and non-trivial conduction states which have the potential to revolutionise conventional electronics. Our quantum microscope combines the concepts of quantum metrology and sensing with imaging. As such, in this project, you will use Bloch sphere descriptions of two-level quantum systems and spin-Hamiltonians to describe the NV electron spin qubits, learn about electron spin resonance (ESR), high-resolution optical microscopy, microwave engineering and data analysis of hyperspectral images.

[1] E.V. Levine, M.J. Turner, P. Kehayias, C.A. Hart, N. Langellier R.Trubko, D.R. Glenn, R.R. Fu, and R.L Walsworth “Principles and techniques of the quantum diamond microscope: ” Nanophotonics 8, 11, (2019)

[2] J.-P. Tetienne, N. Dontschuk, D.A. Broadway, A.Stacey, D.A. Simpson and L.C.L Hollenberg “Quantum imaging of current flow in graphene” Science Adv. 3, 4 (2017),