Cryogenic Ultrafast Scattering-type Terahertz-probe Optical-pump Microscopy (CUSTOM)

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Abstract

Technology underpins our society and economy and devices are constantly evolving, becoming smaller, faster, and 'smarter'. However, current technologies are fast approaching their physical limit and suffer from high, inefficient power consumption and poor energy storage. Integrated photonic, electronic and quantum technologies have the potential to disrupt these existing technologies, providing '21st-century products' with improved performance including energy efficiency. These devices will have a broad range of applications and will impact several sectors, such as healthcare, defence and security, ICT, and clean energy. Advanced functional materials, including graphene, 2D materials and semiconductor nanostructures, are the building blocks of these devices with the potential to deliver a step-change in performance through exploitation of novel quantum effects. An in-depth understanding of their electronic, photonic and spintronic properties, and how they may be controlled, enhanced and exploited is therefore essential.

Although several characterisation techniques exist it still remains difficult to obtain a complete picture of their optoelectronic/spintronic behaviour. Often a combination of methodologies are required to extract device parameters, such as charge carrier mobility and lifetime; and these techniques have their own limitations - they can be destructive, only perform ensemble measurements, or only operate at room temperature and ambient pressure. Notably, material characterisation remains challenging on nanometre length scales, with the majority of techniques limited in resolution to the micron scale. As the majority of devices rely on controlling and designing electronic behaviour at the nanoscale (e.g. pn junctions), nanoscale spatial resolution is essential for accelerating device development. There is therefore an urgent need for state-of-the-art research infrastructure that can provide nanometre spatial resolution and combine the strengths of current methodologies to investigate materials over a large parameter range.

The proposed investment will establish a new national facility for advanced nanoscale material characterisation and will provide the 'missing tool' required to conduct simultaneous imaging and spectroscopy at 3 extremes: ultrafast (<1ps) timescales, nanoscale (<30nm) length scales, and low temperatures (<10K). By combining ultrafast THz and midinfrared (MIR) spectroscopy with cryogenic scattering-type near-field optical microscopy, this facility will provide an exclusive tomographic tool that allows surface-sensitive, non-destructive optoelectronic characterisation of individual nanomaterials over a temperature range of 4.2-300K. As the THz and MIR frequency range encompasses the energy range of several fundamental quasiparticles (e.g. plasmons, free electrons and holes, and magnons), this capability will open up a new parameter range for investigating low-energy excitations in advanced functional materials, including III-V nanowires, 2D materials, topological insulators, and chalcogenides. It will allow differential depth-profiling and 3D mapping of the local dielectric function, electrical conductivity, chemical composition, stress/strain fields with <30nm spatial resolution, and enable investigation of nanoscale photoinduced carrier dynamics and ultrafast vibrational dynamics with <1ps temporal resolution. The facility will be unique to the UK/EU and will provide unprecedented capability for advanced functional materials research. Access to the tool will be made available to UK academics and industry undertaking research in this area. The system will be housed within the UK National Laboratory for Advanced Materials (the Henry Royce Institute) at the University of Manchester and will link with other key materials research infrastructure, such as P-NAME and Royce MBE systems, to form a key chain in the feedback loop between materials optimisation and device development.

Planned Impact

World-leading capability:
CUSTOM will ensure that the UK remains an international leader in advanced materials research, by providing state-of-the-art research infrastructure for near-field THz/MIR imaging and spectroscopy that will increase nanoscale material characterisation capability. It will further cement the University of Manchester as one of the world's most innovative universities and a centre of excellence for 'advanced materials', one of its six research beacons. Established within the Henry Royce Institute (Royce), it will support several EPSRC strategic research areas (e.g. materials for energy-efficient ICT, clean energy) and wider Royce investments in advanced materials deposition and development (e.g. MBE, PECVD, P-NAME) across the UK. It will be available as a national resource to UK academics and industry, enhancing several research programmes.

Economy
By providing a detailed understanding of new advanced materials, this facility will accelerate the development of future technologies. These next-generation devices will provide a step-change in performance and energy efficiency and, in turn, contribute to the UK's knowledge-based economy and improve productivity. The development and application of advanced materials has been identified as a key requirement for growth by the International Roadmap of Devices and Systems (IRDS) [19]. Current production and processing of materials accounts for 15% of UK GDP consisting of ~£170bn turnover and ~£50bn of export; new advanced materials are expected to further impact the national economy [18]. On a more regional scale, the facility is in direct alignment with the Greater Manchester Local Industrial Strategy, as well as the Northern Powerhouse, which is a government priority. The strategic placement of this facility within Royce at Manchester ensures that CUSTOM will benefit industry and stakeholders. It will also exploit the industrial connections offered by Royce at higher levels (e.g. CEO, CTOs), to accelerate the route between material and device development and translation to market.

Knowledge
This facility will provide unprecedented capability to examine promising new materials simultaneously at nanometre length scales and low temperatures with surface-sensitivity. This will open up a new parameter range for advanced material study, which will not only enhance current understanding of material properties, but will also allow theoretically-predicted behaviour to be experimentally observed for the first time. The ability to probe materials in a non-destructive fashion at the nanoscale is also crucial for device development. As device functionality relies on control of optoelectronic properties at the nanoscale (e.g. p-n junctions), there is a need to also examine these properties on the same length scale. This facility will therefore address this need allowing <30nm spatial resolution characterisation, forming a key link in the feedback loop between material optimisation and device development.

Society
By providing a new understanding of advanced functional materials, this facility will assist in the development of future technologies, which will impact on society. For example, provision of materials that replace electronic with photonic technologies would profoundly affect how we communicate. Whereas, integrating current quantum technologies being developed and non-quantum devices would remove a barrier to their future wide-scale adoption. These advanced functional materials will have a several applications in a range of sectors, including UK defence and security and healthcare. The research enabled by CUSTOM is therefore expected to influence government policy by offering replacement technologies.

People
This facility will be made widely available to UK academic and industry, with 'free' access for postgraduate students provided through Royce, allowing them to enhance the impact of their research and further development of their careers.
 
Description The award has established a UK Facility for cryogenic visible to THz scanning near field microscopy. This is accessible directly or via the Henry Royce Institute. The National Physical Laboratory have provided additional funding to extend the Facility.
Exploitation Route It is now accessible as a National facility for UK academic and industry users.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Electronics

Energy

URL https://www.psi.manchester.ac.uk/research/facilities/
 
Description The facility contributed towards educational outreach activities at New Scientist Live 2022.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Education,Electronics
 
Description Materials for the Energy Transition Roadmap
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
URL https://www.royce.ac.uk/materials-for-the-energy-transition/
 
Description Atomic qubits by ion implantation: towards very large-scale quantum devices
Amount £108,040 (GBP)
Funding ID RSWVF\211016 
Organisation The Royal Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2021 
End 07/2023
 
Description Direct Writing of Nanodevices: A Sustainable Route to Nanofabrication
Amount £1,405,952 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X016404/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2023 
End 04/2026
 
Description EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing
Amount £6,589,026 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/S024441/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2019 
End 12/2027
 
Description Nanoscale Advanced Materials Engineering
Amount £7,671,801 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/V001914/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2021 
End 03/2026
 
Description Synthesis of enriched silicon for long-lived donor quantum states
Amount $513,395 (AUD)
Funding ID ARC DP220103467 
Organisation Australian Research Council 
Sector Public
Country Australia
Start 01/2022 
End 12/2024
 
Description Terahertz, Topology, Technology: Realising the potential of nanoscale Dirac materials using near-field terahertz spectroscopy
Amount £1,221,514 (GBP)
Funding ID MR/T022140/1 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2020 
End 07/2025
 
Description University of Manchester and University of Melbourne Joint PhD Studentship
Amount £140,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2021 
End 03/2025
 
Description UoM A*Star Singapore Joint PhD studentship
Amount £140,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2022 
End 04/2027
 
Description UoM Internal Strategic Equipment Call
Amount £160,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2022 
End 02/2022
 
Description UoM PhD Studentship
Amount £130,400 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2022 
End 04/2026
 
Description Collaboration with NPL 
Organisation National Physical Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Exchange of samples and staff; materials development and characterisation
Collaborator Contribution Measurement of samples and staff exchange
Impact Purchase of capital research equipment by NPL and placement at UoM Funding of researcher
Start Year 2022
 
Description DJ Melbourne 
Organisation University of Melbourne
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration on research relating to impurity ions in solid-state materials for quantum technologies. Research exchange visits and access to facilities.
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration on research relating to impurity ions in solid-state materials for quantum technologies. Research exchange visits and access to facilities.
Impact Collaborative research proposals developed for funding. Dual-award University of Manchester and University of Melbourne PhD studentship secured. Royal Society Wolfson International Fellowship secured for Prof. Jamieson to spend extended visits to the UK in 2022/23.
Start Year 2019
 
Description EPFL Collaboration (since 2019) 
Organisation Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)
Country Switzerland 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We have provided access to our terahertz characterisation facility; conducted terahertz characterisation of thin film samples for single photon avalanche diodes.
Collaborator Contribution The partners have provided thin film samples for measurement, they are growth experts and have optimised growth parameters for application in single photon avalanche diodes. They have also provided complimentary optoelectronic characterisation (PL)
Impact This collaboration has led to a publication in Materials Advances (DOI: 10.1039/d1ma00922b) and presentation at international conference. The project is ongoing and forms part of a PhD studentship project.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Leeds Collaboration 
Organisation University of Leeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution - Expertise in development of scattering-type near-field microscopy in the terahertz range (THz-SNOM) and analysis and interpretation of SNOM results. - Characterisation of topological materials using broadband room-temperature and cryogenic THz-SNOM systems. - Access to ultrafast laser facility and CUSTOM facility (EP/T01914X/1)
Collaborator Contribution - Provision of topological insulator thin films for characterisation - Expertise in THz characterisation and topological behaviour - Provision of designer THz-QCLs for use with SNOM - Access to QCL-based THz SNOM and ultrafast THz characterisation facilities
Impact - Collaboration on work packages in EPSRC Programme Grant (EP/V001914/1). - Submission of invited contribution on THz near-field imaging for publication '2023 Terahertz Science and Technology Roadmap' in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics.
Start Year 2019
 
Description NPL Collaboration 
Organisation National Physical Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution - Expertise in development of THz scattering near-field optical microscopy (THz-SNOM) systems, analysis and interpretation of results - Contribution to development of metrology for SNOM techniques - Access to ultrafast laser facility in Photon Science Institute at University of Manchester - Access to CUSTOM facility (EP/T01914X/1) - room-temperature and cryogenic SNOM systems with preliminary measurements on topological insulator nanowires
Collaborator Contribution - Access to microscopy systems within NPL, including room-temperature SNOM systems with variety of sources (QCL and broadband), Kerr microscopy and TERS - Expertise in metrology of microscopy techniques - Expertise topological systems, graphene and 2D materials
Impact - Two joint PhD studentships between NPL, UCL and Manchester, funded through EPSRC-funded CDT working on terahertz microscopy of low-dimensional materials: the first started in October 2021 and is co-supervised by Dr Olga Kazakova; the 2nd starts in October 2022 and is co-supervised by Dr Mira Naftaly. - University of Manchester hosting NPL equipment alongside CUSTOM facility to provide expertise in its installation and operation. - Visiting research positions in progress for Dr Olga Kazakova and Dr Jess Boland
Start Year 2019
 
Description Oxford Collaboration (Topological Insulator Materials and Terahertz Characterisation) 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have characterised the provided materials using ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy and microscopy, providing access to ultrafast laser facilities and the recently-funded CUSTOM facility (EP/T01914X/1) within the Photon Science Institute at University of Manchester to conduct these measurements.
Collaborator Contribution One research group in Oxford (Prof Thorsten Hesjedal) have provided topological insulator and Dirac semi-metal nanowire samples for optoelectronic characterisation. Another research group (Prof. Michael Johnston) have provided access to terahertz characterisation facilities and expertise in terahertz spectroscopy.
Impact - Oral presentation at IRMMW-THz 2020 on experimental results on these materials (DOI: 10.1109/IRMMW-THz46771.2020.9370806) - Manuscript submission to Nature Communications
Start Year 2019
 
Description Toronto Collaboration 
Organisation University of Toronto
Country Canada 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have provided access to CUSTOM facility for preliminary terahertz nanoscale characterisation of nanoparticle metamaterial structures. We have also provide access to other optoelectronic characterisation techniques, including photoluminescence, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy.
Collaborator Contribution The group in Toronto (Prof. Kherani) have provided nanoparticle metamaterials structures for characterisation. They also form part of a feedback loop between sample growth, nanoscale doping and nanoscale characterisation.
Impact - MITACS exchange grant to support a researcher from Toronto visiting Manchester (CUSTOM facility) to conduct terahertz characterisation of nanoparticle samples. - Pump-prime funded access to CUSTOM for initial measurements on nanoparticle samples.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Warwick Collaboration 
Organisation University of Warwick
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The terahertz group in Warwick have provided pump-prime funded access to their ultrafast spectroscopy facility and expertise in terahertz and ultrafast optoelectronic characterisation.
Collaborator Contribution We are providing access to the CUSTOM facility for proof-of-concept measurements and expertise in nanoscale terahertz and ultrafast optoelectronic characterisation.
Impact - Currently have 2 PhD students working together on GeSn project. - Publication generated from use of Warwick facility (DOI: 10.1039/D1MA00922B (Paper) Mater. Adv., 2022, 3, 1295-1303). - Members from Warwick have also joined annual meetings for UK Network on THz microscopy and quantum materials. - Worked on invited section on roadmap article together (J Lloyd-Hughes et al 2021 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 33 353001).
Start Year 2020
 
Description Annual topical meeting on terahertz microscopy and quantum materials 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Network meeting for UK researchers working on application on terahertz spectroscopy and microscopy on quantum materials. The main aim was to present current research in this field in the UK; share details of terahertz characterisation and material growth capability at each institution; to forge new collaborations and research activity within the network that could form the basis for future programme grants.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020,2022
 
Description British Science Week Stall at Manchester Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact To mark British Science Week, a mixture of staff and student volunteers went to Manchester Museum to take part in a science fair. We spent two days speaking to members of the public and local schools who visited about the research done in the NAME project. Demonstrations included the Lego atomic force microscope demonstrating the basic of surface characterisation, optical microscopes of everyday materials and a demon of how light can be used to transmit information. Had engagement form adults and undergrad students as well, who asked many questions pertaining to our research and were interested in collaborating/joining our group in the future. Students generally engaged well with the stall once we got them to look.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Celebration of Physics IOP 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Open free event at Bristol Aerospace, where I was at a stand with the #limtless campaign with Lego AFM and atom smash demos. Multiple schools visited the stands through the morning (approx. 30) who engaged with the demos and content, questions about atoms and devices. Afternoon engagement with the physics community with regard to outreach and physics of the demos. Contacts made with regard to further outreach opportunities. Many conversations on quantum and its applications with other members of IOP.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.iop.org/events/celebration-physics#gref
 
Description Co-organised a 'Workshop on Functional Materials Applications: From Energy to Sensing' at SPIE Photonex 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A session on topological materials was organised within the 'Workshop on Functional Materials and Applications' for SPIE Photonex 2022. This involved liaising with SPIE organisers and inviting speakers for the session. The talks were given to an audience of ~30 in the focused sessions and they sparked interest in current research in NAME programme grant and CUSTOM facility and potential future collaborations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Community Day Manchester 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A one day free festival at the university of Manchester, offering inviting, informal space for visitors to meet our staff and students and community partners, and for us to take part in conversations that connect and inspire. Over 600 people were documented to have entered the room we were situated in, and 100 creative science kits were handed out. Stall involved microscopes on materials, handing out crystal maker kits with crystal defect demo, lego AFM and sound to light demo. Members of the public from the local community attended, generally in family units with ages ranging from 5+ engaging wit the stall. We had 4 volunteers through out the day offering insight into the science behind the demos. Families seemed engaged, and initial feedback has been positive from feedback forms that were handed back to the university, including some mentioning our stall being a highlight.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/public-engagement/spotlight-events/community-festi...
 
Description Interview for STEMM untapped podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Conducted an interview for STEMM untapped podcast about career journey, current research and how disability has affected career. The interview was conducted by school students and recorded for the podcast series. After the interview, the students reported a change in opinions and asked to keep in touch.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited panelist for International Women's Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Invited to take part in a panel session on 'Building Confidence in Research' for International Women's Day. This was an opportunity to discuss research and inspire undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue research and discuss ways of navigating academia and dealing with imposter syndrome.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited presentation on 'Topological nanowires as candidates for controllable THz sources' at Rank Prize Symposium on Nanowire Photonics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited presentation at Rank Prize Symposium on Nanowire Photonics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited seminar entitled 'A Journey in Physics' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact An invited outreach presentation for the Institute of Physics as part of their branch lecture series. The talk was given at Loretto Sixth From college and attend by ~30 participants including general public, school teachers and school students. There was a lot of discussion and questions after the talk and a few students reported renewed interest in physics and this area of research and kept in contact after the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Invited seminar on 'Revealing the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanostructures using terahertz spectroscopy and microscopy' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited seminar on 'Revealing the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanostructures using terahertz spectroscopy and microscopy' for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that advertised the CUSTOM facility and research into terahertz characterisation of nanomaterials. This talk led to discussions around collaboration and use of facility.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited seminar on 'Terahertz, Technology and Telecoil Loops' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited seminar celebrating Disability History Month discussing current research activity on terahertz characterisation of quantum materials and experiences as a disabled academic promoting accessibility in STEM.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited talk on 'Non-destructive 3D imaging and spectroscopy of surfaces via near-field optical microscopy' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited talk at the UK Surface Analysis Forum. This presentation advertised the CUSTOM facility and SNOM capability at Manchester, as well as showing applications of SNOM for characterisation of quantum materials and other advanced functional materials (biomaterials and semiconductors). This presentation sparked interest in new collaborations at the University of Manchester, namely correlation of atomic probe microscopy with SNOM applications. It also sparked interest in terahertz spectroscopy and some industrial work.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited talk on 'Non-destructive nanoscale material characterisation via terahertz and midinfrared scattering-type near field optical microscopy (THz s-SNOM)' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited presentation at UK AFM and SPM Meeting to advertise SNOM capability, CUSTOM facility and current quantum materials research at University of Manchester. This has led to further engagement with the community and advertisement of SNOM network.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Member of EPSRC CDT on Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Education Board 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited as a CDT supervisor to act as a member of the EPSRC CDT on Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Education board to provide feedback on skills and training for PhD students on CDT.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description Organised a 'Quantum Industry Showcase' event at University of Manchester 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Organised a workshop aimed at industry/business to showcase current quantum materials research at Manchester, as well as the research facilities available via the Henry Royce Institute and the university that are open for external access. This was a successful event that has lead to >5 new industry-funded projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Panel member for EPSRC Core Equipment Award 2022 Expert Prioritisation Panel One 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to act as a panel member for EPSRC Core Equipment Award 2022 Expert Prioritisation Panel One, rating and providing feedback to proposals for core equipment within universities and research institutes. The decisions of the panel then led to receipt of award to support research in these institutions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Participation in British Science Week festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The entire research group helped with outreach demonstrations at British Science Week festival to showcase current quantum materials and SNOM research. The event was attended by >100 members of the general public and schools. There was good feedback during the event about increased interest.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation to DSTL on CUSTOM facility 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A presentation on the SNOM capability (CUSTOM facility) at University of Manchester and its current application on quantum materials were presented to DSTL at a visit to the University of Manchester.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description School visit to AFM lab 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact two groups of 14 year old school children participating in organised activities at university spent 25 mins each in AFM lab, with demonstrations of LEGO and Nanosurf AFM on a material of their choice. Discussion on materials and what they are used for were had. Organisers reported increased interest in materials, and students were excited to have been in lab.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Science Stall at BlueDot music festival 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact NAME had a stall within the larger Royce Marvellous Materials stall at Bluedot music festival over 3 days of engagement we delivered demos and activates for approx. 1000 people. Royce stand 'Mervallous Materials' recorded a significant number of visitors and received very positive feedback. We observed families and visitors returning to our stand multiple times to try the activities over again. Demos included a shoe box MASER where discussions where had on how Jodrell Bank (where the festival was held) could keep time, a LEGO AFM and microscope looking at the characterisation of materials and an outreach optics bench- where we turned light into sound and used various optics to move the light around. Conversations were stimulated with the general public of all ages and had much interest in how we use materials and also the nanoscale.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023