PhD Studentship in Magnetic Microscopy with Bose-Einstein Condensates

Neutral atoms can be cooled and trapped using a combination of static and oscillating electro-magnetic fields. We produce Bose-Einstein condensates on atom chips and use them to microscopically probe the magnetic field close to surfaces with very high sensitivity. With our magnetic microscope we can image active current flow patterns in nanostructured samples which is a novel technique in high demand for many studies in materials science and bio-engineering [1].

During this project we will characterise the magnetic microscope, prepare and study samples of nanostructured materials as well as biological samples. Based on such measurements the aim is to further improve the sensitivity of the microscope to electric current in two dimensional (2D) samples. The project involves experimental work on atom chip based ultracold atomic systems, study of atom-surface interactions, imaging of current flow patterns in 2D samples, and the comparison of such measurements to other imaging techniques.

The PhD student will play a central role in this investigation and will learn a wide array of tools in atomic physics, quantum technology (lasers, optics, electronics, vacuum systems, microfabrication), materials and bio-engineering.

Skills and training:

Skills development and training will be provided through lectures, transferable skills modules and practical laboratory-based training, as well as SEPnet-wide training workshops and events.