Exploring condensed-matter physics with spins in diamond
The magnetic fields generated by spins and currents provide a unique window into the condensed matter. We study these fields at the nanoscale using the excellent sensitivity and broad temperature operability of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) sensor spins in diamond. We study systems ranging from low-dimensional magnets to quantum circuits using a combination of magnetic imaging and electronic characterization. We are currently pushing the nanoscale exploration of ‘spin waves’ in magnetic materials. In addition, we study how to control the photoluminescence and magnetization of semiconductors that are just a few atoms thick.
Your contribution
The work will typically consist of developing optical/microwave setups, fabricating devices in the cleanroom, and performing electronic and optical measurements. A central ingredient is to use single spins in diamond as quantum sensors to measure magnetic fields at nanometer distances from devices of interest (see Figure). Within an enthusiastic team of PhD students and postdocs, state-of-the-art experimental lab equipment, excellent cleanroom facilities, and the scientific environment of the Quantum Nanoscience department & QuTech, we aim for results at the forefront of science. MEP students are often co-authors on scientific publications.
Possible topics:
- Creating new materials using few-atom-thick van der Waals materials
- Probing spin waves in magnetic materials
- Imaging electrical currents in quantum devices at the nanoscale
Interested? Please send an email to: t.vandersar@tudelft.nl and have a look at these publications from our lab:
[1] Magnetic resonance imaging of spin-wave transport and interference in a magnetic insulator
I.Bertelli et al., Science Advances 6, eabd3556 (2020)
[2] Exciton-to-trion conversion as a control mechanism for valley polarization in room-temperature monolayer WS2
J.J. Carmiggelt*, M. Borst*, and T. van der Sar, Scientific Reports 10 , 17389 (2020)
For more information: https://www.tudelft.nl/vandersarlab/
Top picture: A single spin (red arrow) probes the magnetic field generated by a (spin) current in a nanodevice