PhD Studentship: Single Ion Detection and Validation for Quantum Technologies

Department: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Title: Single ion detection and validation for quantum technologies
Application deadline: 03/03/2025
Research theme: Quantum Technology
Number of positions: 1

How to apply: please click on the 'Apply' button above.

This 3.5 year PhD project is a Photon Science Institute studentship. The successful candidate will receive tuition fees and an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). The start date is 1st October 2025. The funding is for home and overseas. This advert will be removed once the position has been filled so we encourage applicants to apply early. 

The ability to deterministically dope isotopically selected single impurity ion into systems such as (isotopically enriched) Si, SiGe, diamond and 2D materials is a pressing requirement for the development of spin and photonic-based quantum technologies. Our work at Manchester has established us as an international leader in this aim, having demonstrated single-ion 121Sb and 123Sb doping. This project will focus on developing new methods to advance the efficiency of this process to yield impurity ion centres on demand for qubit and single photon source devices. Novel detection methods well be developed and trialled initially utilising the Platform for Nanoscale Advanced Materials Engineering Facility. These will then be translated to the recently funded Advanced Materials Enrichment and Synthesis tool with a focus on scaling device fabrication. Validation of single-ion doping through the utilisation of advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques will be undertaken. These will include assisting the development of machine learning methodologies utilising the world’s first tool of its type. We will push this technology to its limits off sensitivity prior to seeking to gain direct evidence of isotopic doping based on the utilisation of SuperSTEM. Success in this project will:
- Unlock the ability to create large arrays (~1 million) of isotopically selected ions as the basis for a fully error-corrected quantum computer;
- Provide unique sample sets for training next generation AI-assisted TEM spectroscopy;
- Provide the candidate with a training experience on two of the world’s most advanced tools for nanoscale engineering;
- Equip the candidate with the skills required to develop a future career as a leading independent research in materials for quantum technologies;
- Uniquely place the candidate in a position to play a leading role in the translation and exploitation of research in a critical emerging technology area.

Before you apply, please contact the supervisor, Prof Richard Curry: richard.curry@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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