Coherent Quantum Phase Slip in Superconducting Nanowires

Quantum fluctuations in one-dimensional superconductors are known to give rise to qualitative changes in behaviour of the superconductor, in a process called quantum phase slip. There are many proposals for superconducting nanowire devices making use of quantum phase slip, such as a quantum current standard, highly sensitive electric charge sensors, and phase slip flux qubits. At the moment this potential remains largely unrealised as the nature of quantum phase slip is still not fully understood. It is now known that successive phase slip events can be phase coherent, leading to a mechanism by which magnetic flux can coherently tunnel across a nanowire, and the superposition of different flux states has recently been demonstrated for the first time. In my project I aim to investigate the nature of coherent quantum phase slips, specifically by observing the interaction of nanowire devices with superconducting resonators, with a view to developing and characterising new coherent quantum phase slip flux qubits.

Quantum technologies promise a transformation of the fields of measurement, communication and information processing. They present a particular opportunity since they are disruptive technologies: not only do they offer a chance for rapid growth but they also allow lesser participants in a field (such as the UK in IT) to become major players through appropriate risk-taking and manpower development. Students graduating from the InQuBATE Skills Hub will have the right mindset to work in the industries where quantum technologies will be applied, and help to break down the traditional barriers between those sectors to make this transformation happen. They will have all the necessary technical and transferable skills, plus a network of contacts with our partners, their fellow cohort members and the academic supervisors.

Our commercial partners are keen to help our students realise their potential and achieve the impact we expect of them, through the training they offer and their contributions to the centre's research. They include companies who have already developed quantum technologies to products in quantum communication (Toshiba) and optimization (D-Wave), large corporates who are investing in quantum technology because they see its potential to transform their businesses in aerospace, defence, instrumentation and internet services (Lockheed Martin, Google,) and government agencies with key national responsibilities (NPL). We want to see the best communication of our students' research, so our students will benefit from the existing training programme set up with a leading scientific publisher (Nature Publishing Group); we also want to see more of the future companies that lead this field based the UK, so we have partnered with venture capital group DFJ Esprit to judge and mentor the acceleration of our students' innovations toward the market.