Coupling phonons, photons and spins in two dimensional materials

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

This PhD will lay the foundations for developing a device for coupling light (photons), matter (spins) and motion (phonons) using a class of 2D material known as transition-metal-dichalcogenide (TMD). Such a device would provide the basic building block for preparing and controlling arbitrary quantum states of phonons; which could help overcome a major problem facing the implementation of quantum computing technologies and allow quantum-assisted force sensing. The three aims of the project are: to create a quantum emitter (QE) in a freely suspended TMD, to characterise and optimise the QE optical properties, and to fabricate high-quality TMD mechanical oscillators with QEs hosted within to explore coupling between motion and the energy-levels of the QEs.
Such a device would provide the basic building block for preparing and controlling arbitrary quantum states of phonons; which could help overcome a major problem facing the implementation of quantum computing technologies and allow quantum-assisted force sensing. The three aims of the project are: to create a quantum emitter (QE) in a freely suspended TMD, to characterise and optimise the QE optical properties, and to fabricate high-quality TMD mechanical oscillators with QEs hosted within to explore coupling between motion and the energy-levels of the QEs.