Department of Physics
PhD
Project
Electronic Qubits on Helium
Project Supervisors: Dr.V.Antonov, Professor M.J.Lea
Conventional computers are based
on the manipulation of bits (0 or 1), but Quantum Information Processing (QIP)
requires the manipulation of quantum bits, or qubits,
which can exist in two possible quantum states. The exciting possibilities and
predicted power of QIP comes from the fact that a qubit can also exist in a
quantum mechanical superposition combination of these states. Many different
physical systems are now being investigated for Quantum Computing .
We
propose to use the quantum states of individual electrons, trapped above
superfluid helium, as qubits, and to construct a simple quantum computer with
an array of such electrons. Electrons on helium provide a beautiful model
system, well understood experimentally and theoretically, and are excellent
candidates for condensed matter qubits. They share the scalability of solid
state qubits, held in nanofabricated structures, but with long “decoherence
times”, satisfying a condition for QIP. We have fabricated devices to trap,
manipulate and count individual single electrons using a single-electron
transistor (SET) electrometer (see P. Glasson, cond-mat/0405084). New devices
for an array of single electrons are being made.
This
project will operate these new devices at very low temperatures and study the
quantum mechanics of single electrons and their application for QIP. The
research is funded by an EPSRC grant Electronic Surface States and Qubits on
Liquid Helium, and will be undertaken in the Department of Physics, Royal
Holloway, University of London, as part
of the Quantum Electrons on Helium Project,
with extensive facilities for low temperature physics and nanophysics, and in
collaboration with laboratories in Europe and world-wide.
We now invite applications for an EPSRC Project Research Studentship,
open to both EU and UK graduates, available now, leading to a PhD, with a
maintenance grant at UK Research Council rates and fees paid. Applications from
overseas students are also welcome, though additional fees are then payable
(other funds may be available for this). Applicants should have a strong
interest in experimental low temperature physics. Their research will involve
low temperature physics, single-electron transistors, millimeter microwaves,
nanofabrication and quantum information processing.
M.J.Lea, V.Antonov January 2005
Further
information from Dr.V.Antonov (v.antonov@rhul.ac.uk)
and
Professor M.J.Lea (m.lea@rhul.ac.uk).