Development of a cryofree ultra low temperature environment for quantum enhanced sensors

It is usually very difficult to observe the subtle behaviour of quantum mechanics at room temperature because the effects are drowned out by the noise of thermal agitation. For instance the electrons moving in a circuit are forever being jostled by the atoms of the material that they are moving through. However, if we can cool the circuit down to very low temperatures close to absolute zero, almost -273C, then sometimes the quantum effects can shine through as the jostling is reduced. This project brings together a team from Oxford Instruments, experts in providing these low temperatures enviroments with advanced cryogenic engineering, and a team from Lancaster University, skilled in exploiting these low temperatures to manipulate and control the quantum behaviour of electronic circuits. Together we will develop a new product that will allow other users to gain access to the ultra-low temperature environment isolated from its surrounding. Further, 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.