Terahertz, Topology, Technology: Realising the potential of nanoscale Dirac materials using near-field terahertz spectroscopy

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

Abstract

Technology is constantly evolving. Even within our lifetime, devices have become noticeably faster and smaller with increased functionality; yet these 'smart' devices still suffer from high power consumption and poor energy storage. Integrative photonic, electronic and quantum technologies are key to creating the next-generation of devices that are more energy-efficient with unprecedented performance. These '21st century products' will have a huge impact on a range of sectors, including healthcare, wireless communication, defence, security and clean energy. Advanced functional materials, including graphene, 2D materials and III-V nanowires, will form the basis of these new technologies. Dirac materials, in particular, have attracted significant attention as candidates for novel devices, owing to their extraordinary optoelectronic properties. Dirac semi-metals (DSM) form a 3D analogue of graphene. Whereas topological insulators (TI) are insulating in the bulk, yet possess perfectly conducting surface states. For both materials, the surface hosts Dirac electrons that travel close to the speed of light and are immune to backscattering from non-magnetic impurities and defects. Their direction of travel is fixed by their inherent angular momentum or 'spin', so they behave as if on a railway line - travelling with less resistance and heat production. This coupling between an electron's charge and spin renders TIs and DSMs useful for quantum computing and spintronic applications. In particular, these materials have emerged as promising candidates for novel terahertz (THz) devices. THz technologies are poised to impact several sectors, including security, food processing, healthcare and wireless communication. To realise their full potential, an in-depth understanding of key device parameters (e.g. conductivity) in active THz materials is vital. THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has arisen as a powerful ultrasensitive, non-contact probe of electrical conductivity. It has already been used to examine TIs and DSMs and has shown they possess a high effective electron mobility as a result of reduced impurity scattering. However, so far these measurements have been limited in spatial resolution by the diffraction limit of light (150um for 1THz). The measured conductivity averages over any inhomogeneity and is dominated by the bulk response. Local information is therefore lost and it has proven difficult to isolate the surface conductivity from that of the bulk. This research project aims to push THz-TDS down to the nanoscale, extending the spatial resolution to nanometre length scales. It will employ scattering-type near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) with ultrafast optical-pump terahertz-probe (OPTP) spectroscopy (OPTP-SNOM) to provide a non-destructive, surface-sensitive, nanoscale probe of electrical conductivity. This unique tool will be applied to individual TI and DSM nanostructures to isolate and map their surface photoconductivity response for the first time with <30nm spatial and <1ps temporal resolution. Nano-tomography will form a 3D map of local carrier concentration, carrier lifetime and electron mobility, providing deeper insight into surface carrier transport. Utilising this newfound knowledge, the exclusive P-NAME facility will be used to spatially dope optimised TI and DSM nanostructures for use in THz emitters and detectors. This tool enables a single ion to be positioned with <40nm spatial accuracy, providing control of electronic properties on nanometre length scales. OPTP-SNOM will be used to image dopants and examine nanoscale conductivity, providing a direct feedback loop between material and device optimisation. This capability will allow the advantageous properties of Dirac materials to be fully exploited, leading to a step-change in performance. These THz devices are expected to surpass performance of current state-of-the-art THz devices, opening a pathway for THz technologies to impact on today's society.

Planned Impact

Knowledge: This fellowship proposal will provide a unique facility for non-destructive, surface-sensitive advanced material characterisation at ultrafast timescales and nanometre length scales. This capability will be unique to the UK/EU and internationally competitive, one of only 3 systems worldwide. It will open up a large parameter range to examine the optoelectronic properties of advanced functional materials, including Dirac materials, nanomaterials and biomaterials. It will therefore ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of research and innovation in this area and is the 'go-to' place for nanoscale THz frequency characterisation. The fellowship will also provide a new insight into the fundamental physical mechanisms governing electronic transport in topological Dirac materials. It will enable the exotic surface conductivity to be examined independently from the bulk for the first time, revealing their ultrafast surface carrier dynamics. It will also enable the first observation of topologically-protected collective surface modes (Dirac SPPs and HP3 modes), opening a route to their control in plasmonic devices. Exploration of nanoscale spatial doping will allow their electronic properties to be tailored on nm-length scales, enabling design of bespoke systems for optoelectronic, photonic and spintronic applications. This knowledge will widely distributed throughout the UK 2D materials and THz communities, through a 2nd network meeting I will host at UoM, international and national conferences, Royce partners, publications and my group website. This will ensure immediate impact in these fields, opening up new research avenues and allowing the UK to compete internationally, becoming a leader in this area.

Economy: This increased knowledge and control (through spatial doping) of electronic properties at the nanoscale will accelerate materials optimisation, facilitating the development of '21st century devices' based on Dirac materials. These materials are predicted to deliver a step-change in device performance, owing to their high electron mobility (electrons travelling close to speed of light), doping tunability and topological protection (suppressed scattering), which can lead to integrated electronic/photonic or quantum technologies with increased device speed and reduced energy consumption. They therefore are set to impact several key economic sectors, in particular in energy (eg. increased absorption for solar cells), ICT (eg. candidates for ultrafast wireless communication) and technology (eg. faster transistors and nanoelectronics). To maximise impact, key industrial stakeholders (e.g. Teraview) have been engaged to scope out a roadmap for potential optoelectronic, photonic and spintronic applications of these materials and their translation to market.

Society: These next-generation devices will be transformative, disrupting existing technologies. They will ultimately have a large impact on UK society. The potential increased speed of these devices could lead to ultrafast wireless communication their reduced energy consumption will address the GCRF challenge around sustainable cities. Exploitation of their quantum effects will ultimately revolutionise how we use technology (e.g. quantum computing). To maximise this societal change, public engagement is crucial. During this fellowship programme, I will promote the research through outreach activities and public lectures (e.g. Pint of Science). I also aim to become an inspirational role model within the STEM community and will promote accessibility in STEM, particularly focusing on the use of British Sign Language in STEM through my SignScience Campaign. I will utilise key BSL terms in all public and academic lectures to promote these signs to a wide audience and develop BSL signs for missing terms. I hope that this will have a wider impact on society, making STEM more accessible for future researchers and engaging new audiences.
 
Description - So far, this award has demonstrated that there are experimental challenges (e.g. vibration isolation) that must be overcome to combine terahertz and midinfrared spectroscopy can be combined with scattering-type near-field optical microscopy at cryogenic temperatures to enable nanoscale optoelectronic characterisation of low-dimensional materials at temperatures <10 K. However, this can be achieved and opens up pathway for nanoscale quantum phenomena in topological materials.
We have also observed terahertz emission from topological insulator thin films and nanowires (which has been published). This is an exciting development, highlighting their potential as new terahertz sources. We are now developing new techniques for direct writing these materials to aid fabrication of devices and investigate their potential for use in terahertz communication technologies.
Exploitation Route Lessons learnt from experimental challenges associated with cryogenic scattering-type near-field optical microscopy have been disseminated to the UK community and industrial partners (neaspec) to re-design and improve commercial systems on the market to broaden the user base and availability of this technique. The CUSTOM facility and work during this fellowship has provided a feedback loop between nanoscale material engineering (e.g. ion implantation and MBE growth) and optoelectronic characterisation. It has also identified promising candidates for terahertz devices, which will be taken forward. We are also developing new manufacturing technologies for topological nanowires to develop terahertz devices that can be used in wider applications (e.g. communications, healthcare)
Sectors Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Electronics

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Other

URL https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/jessica.boland
 
Description The development of the CUSTOM facility as part of this research award has had positive impact on external academics, enabling advanced material characterisation in a range of research programmes. It has also been used by industrial companies (mainly SMEs) for non-destructive nanoscale material characterisation for applications including organic electronics and corrosion in coatings. This has helped these companies improve their materials processing methods. Our research activity has also led to development of outreach activities that have been presented to general public at science festivals and been featured in a children's book on quantum materials supported by NAME grant. Our results on topological materials have also been used to investigate their application as terahertz sources and we have begun to work with collaborators (through other grants and grant applications) to develop these further by combining with metamaterials or antenna to optimise their performance. We have also developed an open source software package on our SNOM modelling, which has been tested by other group and will be released shortly. This has enabled other academic groups (non-specialist) to analyse data from SNOM measurements to further their insight into their material behaviour.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description Citation in EPSRC EDI Action Plan
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
Impact This work (along with other TIGERinSTEMM contributions) has influenced the EDI action plans focus on accessibility, providing recommendations for addressing barriers. It has also been used to spark discussion and a future recommendation paper by NADSN STEMM action group.
 
Description Citation in evidence submission from TigersinSTEMM for DIV0071 - Diversity in STEM Flag for UK Parliament Select Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact TigersinSTEMM and NADSN STEMM group were both invited to present evidence at parliament to influence policy.
 
Description Institute of Physics Quantum Strategy Engagement Event
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Invitation to UKRI Strategy Launch - Stakeholder
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Capital Equipment Fund to upgrade CUSTOM facility and host new room-temperature visible s-SNOM at Manchester
Amount £400,000 (GBP)
Organisation National Physical Laboratory 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 03/2024
 
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 Henry Royce Institute: Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP): Additive Manufacturing of InP Nanostructures for Advanced Photonics
Amount £93,053 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X527257/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2023 
End 03/2024
 
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 UKRI FLF Development Network Plus Fund
Amount £24,990 (GBP)
Funding ID PF0012R 
Organisation United Kingdom Research and Innovation 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 02/2024
 
Description UoM Internal Capital Equipment Fund
Amount £230,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2024 
End 07/2024
 
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 UoM PhD studentship
Amount £140,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2023 
End 07/2027
 
Description s-SNOM NPL Joint Funded Appointment
Amount £40,000 (GBP)
Organisation National Physical Laboratory 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 03/2024
 
Description ANU Collaboration (since 2019) 
Organisation Australian National University (ANU)
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We contribute by providing optoelectronic characterisation of semiconductor nanostructures via terahertz spectroscopy and microscopy. We also design terahertz devices based on semiconductor nanowires (single-nanowire emitters).
Collaborator Contribution The group at ANU are experts in nanowire growth and provide nanowires samples to these research programmes.
Impact -Test nanowire samples for SNOM measurements.
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 2023 Annual Disability Lecture: Going beyond standards in technology and accessibility 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I gave the annual disability lecture at University of Oxford, which was broadcast live and recorded. The lecture was public and focused on my career, current research and promoting accessibility in STEM. It was attended by over 100 people and introduced by EDI lead at university, who took some recommendations away from the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
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 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 Engineering the Future conference: materials for quantum symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Organised a symposium on 'Materials for Quantum' at the Engineering the Future conference at University of Manchester, which was attended by approximately 50 attendees, who were from both local quantum companies and academics. The aim was to showcase the quantum activity at Manchester to the local research community to spark new collaborations. Some interest into use of research facilities was sparked by the event and a follow-up event has been organised to discuss centre for quantum science and engineering at Manchester.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Institute of Physics Branch Lecture: A Journey in Physics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Institute of physics branch lecture entitled 'A Journey in Physics' detailing my career journey and experiences, with the aim of encouraging school children into physics. The audience had approximately 50 people, including students and parents. There was some discussion afterwards and great feedback and request to repeat it within local schools.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description International Women's Day Technical Excellence Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Panel discussion of technical staff discussing challenges for career development and progression within research environments. Outcomes were recommendations for improving their experiences within research groups. Approximately 30 people attended and there was discussion from audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
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 Seminar for EPSRC Compound Semiconductors CDT 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This invited seminar was aimed at postgraduate students on the EPSRC-funded Compound Semiconductor CDT. It's main aim was to present current research funded by the EPSRC New Investigator Award and EPSRC Future Leader Fellowship and recruit high-quality PhD students to work on this research. It resulted in recruitment of a PhD student who is ranked top of their cohort.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
 
Description Invited Talk at IOP Webinar on 'Next Steps for Physics Graduates' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact A presentation was given at an online webinar hosted by Institute of Physics describing research opportunities (quantum-focussed) available for physics undergraduates and postgraduates. The event was attended live by ~ 50 people and it was recorded and made available to IOP members across the UK.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
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 seminar on reducing barriers for people with disabilities 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited presentation on accessibility in STEM and how barriers can be reduced for disabled researchers. The talk was given online to researchers and the EDI committee in Queen Mary University London and promoted discussion and questions on accessibility in STEM. Recommendations presented were taken on board by the EDI committee for implantation within their institution.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
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 Jessica Boland - Impurity characterisation on nanometre length scales via near-field terahertz spectroscopy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Advanced Electronic and Photonic Materials Conference Royce/SPIE
7 - 8 September 2022
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/advanced-electronic-and-photonic-materials?SSO=1
 
Description Keynote talks on 'Topological Dirac semi-metals as novel, optically-switchable, helicity-dependent terahertz sources' at IRMMW-THz 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This presentation was an invited keynote talk associated with IRMMW-THz Zhenyi Wang award to promote my current research on near-field microscopy and terahertz spectroscopy of topological insulator materials. The talk was well received and the work was promoted for publication and further study with device applications.
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 New Scientist Live 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interactive demonstrations presented to the general public at New Scientist Live event to explain current research activities. Demonstrations included: water droplet demonstration to explain pump-probe experiments, laser maze game to explain spectroscopy, interactive activity throwing toy balls at material, explaining ion implantation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
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