QD Winter School and How You Could Attend Next Year

Quantum Design selected six exceptional individuals from around the world, offering them a unique opportunity to delve into a week of intensive, advanced measurement training. Utilising our state of-the-art PPMS®, MPMS®3 and FusionScope® platforms, our Applications Scientists, Randy Dumas and Darius Choksy, are dedicated to transforming participants into superusers. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific talent and enhancing their proficiency with cutting edge technologies.

New to the instrument lineup for the Winter School is FusionScope®. Students were asked to bring samples for measurements that would benefit from equipment they do not have at their home institutions, and the FusionScope is generating a lot of interest. When combined with our standard suite of measurement techniques, the unique correlative microscopy measurements enabled by the FusionScope provide a comprehensive and complete examination of a wide range of materials and devices.

New This Year

This year at the Winter School, we were lucky enough to have on hand the iQuantum Helium-3 for the MPSM®3. The iQuantum Helium-3 enables measurements of the DC and AC magnetic moment below 0.5 K. Kyle Kirkpatrick is demonstrating the basic functionality and helping to prepare a measurement for one of the students.

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UK attendee reviews the inaugral winter school

JUST SIX exceptional users of QD’s PPMS and MPMS3 platforms from around the world were offered a unique opportunity to experience a week of intensive, advanced measurement training

Last year marked the first ever QD Winter School, led by application scientists Randy Dumas and Darius Choksy, and held at QD Headquarters in San Diego The theme was to transform users into superusers. The initiative underscores QD’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific talent and enhancing their proficiency with cutting-edge technologies.

One of those lucky enough to be invited was Sivaloganathan Kumaran, a PhD Candidate in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge.

"Attending the Quantum Design Winter School 2024 was an invaluable experience that significantly enriched my practical understanding of experimental quantum physics…

"The itinerary was meticulously planned to cover a broad spectrum of topics, offering a mix of theoretical presentations, hands on demonstrations in the Apps Lab, and, most importantly, time to conduct experiments on research-relevant material samples and devices

“Each day started with a deep dive into the intricacies of quantum physics experiments, followed by comprehensive sessions on the MPMS3 and DynaCool, a look into the design of FusionScope and OptiCool, and more tailored measurements on attendees’ own samples. What set this Winter School apart from other summer schools I have attended was its hands on focus, rather than the usual ‘death by PowerPoint’ approach.

The opportunity to engage directly with cutting edge technology and conduct measurements under the guidance of experts was invaluable, with participants instructed to bring their most difficult samples to get direct feedback on improving their experiments and gather data for their research. This combination not only solidified my theoretical knowledge but also enhanced my practical skills, making me aware of various techniques and their applications.

"IN SUMMARY, THE WINTER SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE EXPERIENCES OF MY PHD TO DATE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE LOOKING TO BROADEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICAL RESEARCH SKILLS”

Sivaloganathan Kumaran, University of Cambridge.

Want to go next year?

This week-long winter school is geared towards lab managers and graduate students in the second half of their PhD and will provide advanced training on both the PPMS (including DynaCool and VersaLab) and MPMS3 platforms. Specific measurement options discussed will be tailored to the needs and interests of attending students, who are encouraged to bring samples. QD provides room and board for the week, as well as social excursions.

Application deadline Nov 2025

Awardees notified by December

To apply, email a CV along with a statement describing how measurement equipment offered by Quantum Design is a critical part of your research and how you would benefit from attendance to apps@qdusa.com

Airfare and travel to San Diego will be the responsibility of the attending student.