| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/M508354/1 |
| Title: |
Development of a cryofree ultra low temperature environment for quantum enhanced sensors |
| Principal Investigator: |
Haley, Professor RP |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Lancaster University |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 May 2015 |
Ends: |
30 April 2016 |
Value (£): |
103,092
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
This proposed feasibility study brings together industrial partners from Oxford Instruments and academic partners from
Lancaster University to tackle the problem of bringing to market a user-friendly, compact, portable machine for current and
future commercial applications in quantum technologies that need low-noise, low-temperature, isolated environments in
order to function.
The effects of quantum mechanics are usually masked by noise at room temperatures and in environments that interact
strongly with the systems under observation. Extreme isolation and low temperatures are often used to remove these
nuisances, and the extreme cold and high vacuum provided by dilution refrigerators is therefore an ideal environment for
observing quantum-enhanced behaviour. Oxford Instruments have a longstanding reputation for their expertise in providing
commercial machines that deliver such environments, and the Lancaster University team is highly skilled in exploiting these
low temperatures to manipulate, exploit and measure quantum behaviour.
In this joint endeavour we will develop a new product that will help other users gain access to the ultra-low temperature
environment isolated from its surroundings. Traditional dilution refrigeration has required bulky dewars of liquid helium for
the first cooling stage. New "dry" cryogen-free dilution fridges do not need liquid helium. OI has pioneered this new
technology and is market leader. We will now take the next step of reducing the size and cost of ownership, and increasing
automation. This will increase the uptake of this technology by users in the traditional markets of university laboratories and
research institutes. It will also make it easier for industrial manufacturers to include it as a component in future equipment
and instrumentation that exploit those quantum-enhanced behaviours which require the ultra-low temperature environment.
Examples here are the prototype solid-state quantum computer qubits and information processing devices for secure
communications which are based on the properties of superconducting quantum interference devices that only work at
dilution refrigerator temperatures. Compact, automatic and less expensive fridges will be an obvious benefit in this market.
Further, and as an example of this type of new technology, we will demonstrate that this new product will provide the ideal
environment for new types of sensor technology whose performance is enhanced by quantum mechanics. Here we will
investigate how to go beyond current sensitivity and resolution limits in the sensing of magnetic fields. This is already useful
in a range of in-the-field applications from remote sensing of new oil/gas reserves to medical imaging of the brain and body.
At the moment the state-of-the-art measures the effect of magnetic fields on superconducting junctions that are made from
niobium metal and cooled only to liquid helium temperatures of 4 degrees above absolute zero. By using new cryo-free
technology we will be able to improve sensitivity in two ways. The first is by simply being colder, so that thermal noise is
reduced. The second, more exciting way, is that there are materials which only become functional at these lower
temperatures, and we will be able to investigate new devices made in new ways from these materials. For instance we will
be able to replace niobium with superconducting aluminium, and use nanofabrication techniques to make hybrid
semiconductor/superconductor/normal metal devices. We will also be able to investigate devices which contain graphene,
where the lower temperatures enable electrons to travel much greater distances within the two-dimensional graphene
sheet before being scattered from their path by noise.
The anticipated outcome of our collaboration will be a prototype-ready design for a new cryo-free system that will use
quantum-enhanced sensors to improve the detection of small magnetic fields.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lancs.ac.uk |