PhD Studentship in Physics and Applications of Semiconductor Quantum-Dot Spin Qubits (2024)

What you get

• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years at the home fee status.
• A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£18,622 per annum in 2023/24).
• Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term
  travel.
• If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled
  status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission.

Type of award

PhD Studentship

PhD project

Semiconductor quantum dots, known as artificial atoms, are nanometer-sized semiconductor crystals capable of trapping individual electrons. These nanostructures hold great promise for the development of a new generation of quantum computing and communication devices. The quantised magnetic (spin) state of the electron forms a qubit. Such qubits can store and process quantum information with efficiency inaccessible to any classical digital computer. The well-developed semiconductor technologies and the small size of the quantum dots offer pathways to large-scale integrated quantum circuits.

Recent breakthroughs in semiconductor nanotechnology resulted in a new generation of quantum dots, where quantum information processing is possible not only with electron spin qubits but also with subatomic magnetic states of the crystal lattice nuclei [see recent publications 1-5]. In this experimental project you will join a rapidly developing field of semiconductor spin qubits.  The aim of your work will be to explore the fundamental physics of quantum coherence and entanglement, as well as to develop prototype quantum computing protocols and spin-qubit devices. You will work in a state-of-the-art experimental laboratory equipped with modern cryogenic systems, superconducting high-field magnets, lasers, optical and radio-electronic equipment. During this project you will learn a wide range of transferable skills in the areas of quantum science, opto-electronic engineering, data analysis, automation and control systems, numerical modelling, and semiconductor device fabrication. If you have further questions about the project or the application process, please contact Dr Evgeny Chekhovich e.chekhovich@sussex.ac.uk.

Recent publications from this project:
1. Nature Communications 15, 985 (2024)
2. Nature Communications 14, 2677 (2023)
3. Nature Communications 13, 4048 (2022)
4. npj Quantum Information 7, 43 (2021)
5. Nature Nanotechnology 15, 999 (2020)

Eligibility

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in Physics/Engineering, or a closely-related area, or else a lower second class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.

This award is open to UK and International students

Deadline

21 May 2024 23:45

How to apply

Apply through the University of Sussex on-line system. 

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply/log-into-account

Select the PhD in Physics/Mathematics, with an entry date of September 2024.

In the Finance & Fees section, state that you wish to be considered for studentship AMO/CHE/01.

We advise early application as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant can be found.

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.

Contact us

If you have practical questions about the progress of your on-line application or your eligibility, contact mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

For academic questions about the project, contact Dr Evgeny Chekhovich at e.chekhovich@sussex.ac.uk