Spin Scanning Probe Using Quantum Microwaves

16 Oct 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

ENS Lyon - CNRS

Research Field

Physics » Solid state physics

Physics » Quantum mechanics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

1 Jun 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / ERC

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful spectroscopy method which allows to identify spins and paramagnetic species and quantify their interactions with their environment. Because of the weak spin-microwave coupling, conventional EPR spectroscopy has a low sensitivity which limits its use to samples of macroscopic size. Recent experiments demonstrated that superconducting quantum circuits have the potential to drastically enhance the spin detection sensitivity down to the detection of single spins within a 1 um volume probe 1-3 using properties unique to quantum mechanics. However, these demonstrations have so far been done using well-known model spin systems and in restrictive conditions: very narrow spin and detector linewidths, extremely low microwave losses, and low static magnetic fields. The PhD project will center on developing and building a scanning probe allowing to perform EPR spectroscopy and imaging on a nearby surface with a resolution of a few spins.

The gain in absolute and concentration sensitivity will be based on earlier developments 1-2 using quantum circuits techniques, in particular high quality factor small mode volumes superconducting resonators and quantum- limited amplifiers. The candidate will work on building a scanning probe on which the detection circuit will lie to probe species lying within 100 nm -1 um of the tip. A successful implementation of this probe will enable the applicant to detect spurious paramagnetic species lying at the surface of superconducting circuits in order to improve their performance, but also from other solid-state devices, such as organic semiconductors, or chemical or biological entities. The PhD thesis will take place in the Quantum circuits group at ENS de Lyon, which is an expert in quantum circuit technologies for quantum sensing and quantum information processing.

A background in solid-state or quantum physics is highly desired. Any experience in the following fields will be appreciated: scanning probe instrumentation, pulsed microwave measurements, nanofabrication, low- temperature measurements, microwave instrumentation and design. If you like experimental physics, want to enjoy living in one of the world food capitals and its nearby outdoors attractions, don't hesitate to reach out! Informal enquiries should be sent to Audrey Bienfait ([email protected]). We are looking to fill the PhD position in the Fall 2024 preceded by an internship in Spring/Summer 2024. The internship and PhD are both funded under the ERC project INDIGO.

1 A. Bienfait et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 11, 253–257 (2016) 2 V. Ranjan et al., Applied Physics Letters 116 (18), 184002 (2020) 3 Z. Wang et al., Nature, 619, 2023

Requirements

Research Field

Physics » Solid state physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Physics » Quantum mechanicsPhysics » Solid state physics

Additional Information Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de Physique ENS Lyon

Country

France

City

Lyon

Postal Code

69007

Street

46 allée d'Italie

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

N/A

City

Lyon

Website

https:// www. ens-lyon.fr/PHYSIQUE/accueil-new?setlanguage=en&amp%3Bcl=en

https:// physinfo.fr

Street

46 allee d'Italie

Postal Code

69007

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED