Summer research program 2021–22: projects
The following are the pre-defined projects for the 2021–22 summer research program. Applicants may either choose from the list below or propose a new project. If you would like to propose a new project, please reach out to the relevant CI(s) to discuss before applying. To apply, please complete the application form.
Adiabatic nanomechanical computing
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Queensland |
Delivery: | Can be off site |
Description: | Adiabatic nanomechanical computing This project will seek to develop the first adiabatic approach to nanomechanical computing. Nanomechanical computing offers the potential for higher gate densities and lower energy cost than conventional semiconductor processors. It is also intrinsically robust to radiation, and so suitable for space applications. In collaboration with Lockheed Martin, we have developed the first scalable approach to build nanomechanical logic circuits. This project will seek to develop a new approach to perform logic with these circuits, adiabatically controlling strongly coupled circuits so that their steady state yields the outcome of the computation. It will develop this approach via computer simulations of strongly coupled networks of gates. If the simulations are successful, circuits will subsequently be fabricated and tested. |
Duration: | 8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | The scholar will gain an understanding of nonlinear resonators and there uses in computation. They will learn how to model arrays of coupled nonlinear resonators, gaining coding and simulation skills. They will learn about adiabatic computing. |
Suitable for: | Scholar with experience and competence in Matlab, interest in non-conventional computing techniques, and interest in nanomechanical devices. |
Other information: |
Developing the next-generation of quantum dark matter detectors
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Western Australia |
Delivery: | On-site attendance is required. |
Description: | Developing the next-generation of quantum dark matter detectors This project will involve the investigation of novel approaches to the detection of low-mass weakly interacting massive particles at low temperatures:
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Duration: | 8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | Learn to undertake precision measurement techniques in the microwave and optical domain, automatically control experiments and fit data. |
Suitable for: | Physics undergraduate student |
Other information: |
Emergence of superfluidity in a Fermi gas
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Queensland |
Delivery: | On campus preferred but can also be performed remotely. Student should attend regular research group meetings. |
Description: | Emergence of superfluidity in a Fermi gas This project aims to describe experiments currently being performed to create Fermi gas superfluids from the bottom up. It will include numerical simulations of the introduction of attractive interactions to a two-component ideal Fermi gas. The aim is to characterise the emergence of Cooper pairing and superfluidity using exact diagonalisation methods. |
Duration: | 4–8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | The student will learn about the theoretical techniques of exact diagonalisation for quantum many-body systems. The project outcome will hopefully be microscopic evidence of the emergence of Cooper pairs in small numbers of atoms. |
Suitable for: | Self-motivated second- or third-year physics students who are interested in pursuing research in theoretical and computational quantum physics. |
Other information: | Please get in touch with Prof. Davis before applying for this project. |
Hybrid photon–phonon–spin quantum systems
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Western Australia |
Delivery: | On-site attendance is required. |
Description: | Hybrid photon–phonon–spin quantum systems This project will involve cooling some crystals to low temperature in a dilution fridge and undertaking spectroscopy of photons, spins and phonons in novel crystal structures. |
Duration: | 8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | Learn to undertake precision measurement techniques in the microwave domain, automatically control experiments and fit data. |
Suitable for: | Physics undergraduate student |
Other information: |
Large-scale quantum simulation with trapped ions
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | robert.wolf@sydney.edu.au, The University of Sydney, Sydney Nanoscience Hub |
Location: | University of Sydney |
Delivery: | Remote working can be arranged for analytical calculation and numerical simulation projects. On-site laboratory work is needed for experimental projects. |
Description: | Large-scale quantum simulation with trapped ions The controlled simulation of dynamics in quantum many-body systems is of central interest in the pursuit to further our understanding of phenomena such as superconductivity and quantum magnetism. Specially designed Penning traps enable experimental investigations into these topics using hundreds of ions trapped simultaneously inside a large, superconducting magnet. We have recently brought online the first and only such system in Australia at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub and now routinely trap large crystals of beryllium ions. Possible summer student projects involve the characterization of coupling between the ions using a custom ultraviolet-laser system, hardware–software interfacing, hardware development and operation of the trap. These topics involve experimental work in the laboratory as well as complementary numerical simulations, and will adapt depending on starting date and current needs. |
Duration: | 6 weeks (flexible), starting mid-January |
Expected outcomes: | The students will get hands-on practice with infrared-, visible- and ultraviolet-laser systems, ion traps, radio-frequency electronics and/or programming of experimental control systems. |
Suitable for: | The student is expected to have some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and be interested in experimental physics. |
Other information: |
Model of an atomtronic transistor
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Queensland |
Delivery: | On campus preferred but can also be performed remotely. Student should attend regular research group meetings. |
Description: | Model of an atomtronic transistor The term ‘atomtronics’ has been coined to describe the creation of electronic-circuit-like experiments using ultracold quantum gases. This project will develop a simple model of an atomtronic transistor based on kinetic theory of gases and apply it to understand an experiment performed at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Students will use knowledge of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics to develop a model of particle and energy flow in a three-terminal trap. |
Duration: | 4–8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | The model will validate or falsify the understanding described in the experimental paper. A successful project will lead to publishing a paper describing the model and its results. |
Suitable for: | Self-motivated second- or third-year physics students who are interested in pursuing research in theoretical and computational quantum physics. |
Other information: | Please get in touch with Prof. Davis before applying for this project. |
Optomechanical systems for testing fundamental physics
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Western Australia |
Delivery: | On-site attendance is required. |
Description: | Optomechanical systems for testing fundamental physics This project will involve experiments and simulations of frequency-stable optomechanical systems, related to the EQUS Quantum Clock Flagship program. |
Duration: | 8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | Learn to undertake precision measurement techniques of optomechanical systems, automatically control experiments and fit data. |
Suitable for: | Physics undergraduate student |
Other information: |
Quantum computation with trapped ions
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | tingrei.tan@sydney.edu.au, The University of Sydney, Sydney Nanoscience Hub |
Location: | University of Sydney |
Delivery: | Remote working can be arranged for analytical calculation and numerical simulation projects. On-site laboratory work is needed for experimental projects. |
Description: | Quantum computation with trapped ions One of the most promising architectures for quantum computation and the simulation of other, less accessible quantum systems is based on trapped atomic ions confined by electric potentials in an ultrahigh-vacuum environment. Record coherence times and the highest operational fidelities among all qubit implementations have enabled remarkable progress in recent years and, with the only two fully operational systems in Australia, the Quantum Control Laboratory works at the forefront of research in this area. Our current efforts focus on the development and experimental implementation of new control methods and their application to practical quantum computation and simulation, e.g. of quantum chemistry. Projects involve laboratory works including laser optics and microwave systems, as well as complementary software programming and numerical simulations. |
Duration: | 6–8 weeks (flexible) |
Expected outcomes: | Students will gain knowledge on experimental techniques associated with atomic physics, and contribute to the broader mission of our laboratory, pursuing research in quantum information and quantum simulation. |
Suitable for: | The student is expected to have some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and be interested in experimental physics. |
Other information: |
Sensor and detector design for dark matter detection
Chief Investigator and/or other supervisor(s): | |
Contact details: | |
Location: | University of Western Australia |
Delivery: | In person |
Description: | Sensor and detector design for dark matter detection The nature of dark matter, which makes up 5/6 of the matter in the Universe, remains a mystery – indeed, one of the greatest mysteries of modern science. One of the most promising candidates to comprise dark matter is a hypothetical particle called the axion. ORGAN operates in a cryogenic environment at very low temperatures, and consists of a resonant cavity, an amplification/readout chain, and digitisation/data acquisition. We are currently developing a quantum-enhanced readout in the form a gigahertz single-photon counter, to greatly enhance the sensitivity of the search. The optimisation and enhancement of the readout, and various other components of ORGAN, are an on-going process, with room for innovation. This project focuses on optimising ORGAN to improve and extend the range of the experiment. Depending on the interests and abilities of the student, this could include work on:
Each of these areas is critical to the success of the experiment, and as such a broad variety of skillsets are useful. |
Duration: | 6–8 weeks |
Expected outcomes: | Students will have the opportunity to work with novel quantum systems, and perform measurements of quantum systems in the microwave regime. Students will gain skills in cryogenics (4 kelvin and millikelvin), microwave engineering and measurement, Python programming for data analysis and instrument control, and finite-element simulation in COMSOL. This project could lead to Honours/Master's/PhD projects and potential publications. |
Suitable for: | Students majoring in physics or engineering |
Other information: |
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.