QDUKI Quantum Magazine Edition 1 by QDUKI

WWW.QD-UKI.CO.UK

ABOUT QUANTUM DESIGN:

For more than 40 years Quantum Design (QD) has been providing technology solutions to researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology. Established in 1982 in San Diego, California, Quantum Design is the leading commercial source for automated materials characterisation systems offering a variety of measurement capabilities

QD instruments are found in the world’s leading research institutions and have become the reference standard for a variety of magnetic and physical property measurements Quantum Design instruments are cited in, and provide the data for, more scientific publications than any other instrument in the fields of magnetics and materials characterisation This means that each year, literally hundreds of scientific publications, advancing the science of materials, use data generated from QD instruments

Montana Instruments

Montana Instruments manufactures high-precision electrical, optical, and cryogenic products for quantum computing, quantum education, quantum networking, and quantum materials research Montana Instruments provides essential cryogenic tools for quantum pioneers

Montana Instruments is a privately owned company with 38 employees, located in Bozeman, Montana, USA

Lake Shore Cryotronics

Supporting advanced scientific research, Lake Shore is a leading global innovator in measurement and control solutions Leading researchers around the world trust Lake Shore for measurement and control solutions that drive the discovery and development of new materials for tomorrow’s technologies Since 1968 Lake Shore has grown its product solutions to keep pace with evolving interests in scientific exploration, from the physics lab to deep space

QUANTUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A MAGAZINE FROM QUANTUM DESIGN UK AND IRELAND Contents

Keys to Quantum Cryogenics

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP: UNDERSTANDING MONTANA INSTRUMENTS

Quantum Computing Helping quantum computer makers get colder, faster.

Quantum Design Teaching and Materials Discovery Laboratory

Quantum Design holds Inaugural OptiCool Conference and User Meeting in Chicago

For more than 40 years Quantum Design (QD) has been providing technology solutions to researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Established in 1982 in San Diego, California, Quantum Design is the leading commercial source for automated materials characterisation systems offering a variety of measurement capabilities

QDUKI is proud to be a part of the expanding landscape of quantum technology commercialisation and industrial advancement in the UK, where approximately half of all quantum businesses in Europe call home.

We are confident that our suite of cryogenic instrumentation represents the ideal solution for advancing research into new materials and driving innovation in optical quantum computing and QUBIT technology.

In this inaugural issue of Quantum Magazine, we showcase the systems, solutions, and strategic initiatives that position our company at the forefront of the quantum revolution. Explore compelling case studies, insightful interviews, and valuable information as we embrace the future of quantum technology.

Dr. Shayz Ikram TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Roman Potjan is a pHd student at the Fraunhofer IPMS for the Center Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT) His particular areas of interest are Materials Science, Superconducting Quantum Technologies, and 300 mm Semiconductor Technology

Roman explains, “Right now we are contacting super conducting nanostructures with microbes in-situ using nanopositioners, working at cryogenic temperatures. An additional microscope that we added later is contacting chips inside of the chamber.”

THIS TOOL IS A VERY CRUCIAL ADDITION TO OUR EXTENDING RESEARCH ENDEAVOURS IN THE FIELDS OF CRYOGENICS AND QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES, WITH APPLICATIONS SUCH AS QUANTUM COMPUTING.”

The OptiCool optical cryostat is a cryogenfree system with automated software to control temperature and magnetic field At the push of a button you can change your sample temperature from 1 7 K to 350 K, with or without an applied magnetic field. A generous 89 mm diameter by 84 mm tall sample volume provides exciting possibilities in experiment design

Roman Potjan, pHd Student, Fraunhofer IPMS for the Center Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT)

QUANTUM DESIGN HOLDS INAUGURAL OPTICOOL CONFERENCE AND USER MEETING IN CHICAGO

September 9 - 10, 2024

On September 9-10, Quantum Design, in partnership with The Chicago Quantum Exchange and Lake Shore Cryotronics, hosted the first-ever "Magneto-Optics in Quantum Materials Conference" which served as the inaugural OptiCool user meeting at the University of Chicago.

The two-day event featured cuttingedge advancements in magnetooptics, ultrafast phenomena in magnetic fields, and scanning probe nanoscopy in quantum materials

This conference originated from an idea proposed by Prof. Mengkun Liu from the State University of New York at Stony Brook back in December 2023. Prof. Liu is a leader in low-temperature nanoscopy and a committed OptiCool user; and was instrumental in shaping the event We are deeply thankful for his exceptional leadership.

We also extend our gratitude to our distinguished scientific committee Professors David Awschalom (University of Chicago), Dmitri Basov (Columbia University), and Richard Averitt (UCSD) whose expertise and guidance were vital to the conference's success Special recognition goes to Andrea Jett, David Shimomura, Dr. Kate Timmerman, Dr. Rick Hapanowicz, Jesse Gallop, and Michelle Lehman for their hard work in making this event possible

Highlight

One of the conference highlights was the research laboratory tours at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, including a visit to the OptiCool Research Laboratory a state-of-theart facility dedicated to advancing quantum materials research and education This laboratory, part of a collaboration between the Quantum Design Discovery Teaching Laboratory and the Chicago Quantum Exchange, promises to make a significant impact on the future generation of quantum researchers We are excited to see this partnership come to life and thank Prof. Awschalom for spearheading the transition of quantum information science from the lab to practical, real-world applications

Content

With over fifty scientific publications using data from the OptiCool measurement system, the conference provided ample opportunities for in-depth discussions Attendees engaged with the presentations, networked with peers, and shared their latest unpublished results for the first time More than just a knowledgesharing platform, the event aimed to inspire fresh ideas, foster collaborations, and drive innovation in the field.

To further fuel innovation, the Quantum Design Q-Works team, composed of Dr. Randy Black, Dinesh Martien, and Dr William Neils, the brilliant minds behind the OptiCool system, was present at the conference and eager to gather feedback for future developments, including new customisations, measurement modes, and hardware configurations

The first day of the conference concluded with a reception, offering a fantastic opportunity for networking and for Quantum Design's CEO Greg DeGeller and VP Stefano Spagna to present Prof Mengkun Liu with a recognition prize for his pioneering research and inspiring leadership in the field of Magneto-Optics in Quantum Materials

“THESE KINDS OF FOCUSED MEETINGS ARE MY FAVORITE. IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING TWO DAYS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE VERSIONS OF IT.”

Prof Peter Armitage

Johns Hopkins University

TALK FROM THE EVENT

Collective excitations in a quantum magnet

Elaine (Xiaoqin) Li University of Texas at Austin

The interaction of charge, spin, lattice, and orbital degrees of freedom in correlated materials often leads to diverse and unique properties Recent research has provided fresh insights into bosonic collective excitations in these materials For example, inelastic neutron scattering has demonstrated non-trivial band topology for magnons and spin-orbit excitons in the quantum magnet CoTiO3

In this talk, I will discuss novel phonon properties in CoTiO3 resulting from strong spin-orbit coupling, substantial crystal field splitting, and trigonal distortion Notably, the coupling between spin-orbit excitons and phonons introduces chirality to two phonon modes, leading to significant phonon magnetic moments as seen in magneto-Raman spectra In addition, I will discuss unusually longlived zone-boundary magnons observed via two-magnon resonance. Both band topology and magnetic 3 anisotropy are critical elements endowing a long lifetime to the THz magnons in the antiferromagnetic phase

Q u an tu m D e si g n

Te ac h i n g an d

M ate ri al s

D i sc ov e ry

L ab oratory

Begunalmost10yearsago, the main goal of Quantum Design’s Education Initiative is to expand and innovate the teaching of hands-on, experimental physics in the undergraduate arena. Most often, undergraduate physics students are limited to learning theory in classrooms with laboratory experience, if any, limitedinscopetoonlyverysimple experiments.

Quantum Design knows that the scientists of tomorrow begin as the physicsstudentsoftoday.

Therefore, the sooner those students become familiar with industrystandard equipment, the sooner their natural scientific curiosity and excitementcanbeawakened,andthe more comfortable they can become withthesetools

“Quantum Design is very passionate and committed to using innovation in undergraduate laboratory education. This is why, along with our industry partners and university collaborators, QDUSA has developed a teaching curriculum that can be used for this purpose.”StefanoSpagna,VPStrategy &Innovation,QDI

In addition to providing undergraduate labs like this with instruments such as the PPMS VersaLab, Quantum Design and its Education Board of Advisors have worked together to create freely available experimental modules that can be used with the PPMS VersaLab. These modules lead students through various measurements (electrical, thermal, magnetic) so that they can become better familiar with basic materials research principles. They also provide ready-made coursework for educators who wish to incorporate thesetypesofexperimentsintheirlab classes

“Right now, it is an important time for undergraduate students to be exposed to Quantum Information Science because of how rapidly the quantum info industry is growing. ” said Advisory Board memberDr JustinPerron,“We're starting to see a lot more positions for undergraduate levelscientistsandengineers, ...theindustryislookingfora quantumcompetent, classicallytrainedwork force

“Whatwouldhappenifyoucould getastateoftheartinstrument thatresearchersaround theworldalreadyuse andputthatinan instructional laboratory?”

StephenTsui Professor CSUSM

Lake Shore Cryotronics, a leading cryogenic temperature sensor and scientific instrument manufacturer based near Columbus, Ohio was excited to be part of the celebration and co-sponsored the event They alsoprovideddemonstrationsofsome of their newest instruments (such as the M91 FastHall™ Measurement Controller and the M81 Synchronous Source Measure system), both of which are appropriate for undergraduatephysicslaboratories

DISCOVER THE VERSALAB >

Perhaps Dr. Tsui said it best when he highlighted the importance of programs like this to the local community: “We serve our region. A little over half of the students we graduatearethefirstintheirfamilyto go to college, and roughly 80% of them stay in the region and join our local workforce Programs like this are not only serving the students and our Physics Department, but also contributing locally to the welfare of our region. As one example, many of these students now work at Quantum Design, locally serving as engineers andothertechnicalstaff”

“UsingtheVersaLab preparedmetonotbe intimidatedusingother laboratoryequipment.I thinkit’simportantfor undergradstobe exposedtothistypeof equipment.”

JosefaGergorio,CSUSMAlumnaand FinalTestEngineer,QuantumDesign).

Stefano Spagna says the Education Initiative is entering a new stage of expansion, “I am truly excited to see wherewewillgonextandalltheways we can expand this essential program to expand and improve the teaching of experimental physics in undergraduate physics programs around the country, and even in other countriesaroundtheworld. ”

Quantum Design: Educating Tomorrow’s Researchers

Since its inception in 1982, Quantum Design (QD) has developed and manufactured automated temperature and magnetic field testing platforms for materials characterisation

These systems offer a variety of measurement capabilities and are in widespread use in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science and nanotechnology. Quantum Design instruments are found in the world’s leading research institutions, and have become the reference standard for a variety of magnetic and physical property measurements

QD INSTRUMENTS ARE CITED IN, AND PROVIDE THE DATA FOR, MORE SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS THAN ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT IN THE FIELDS OF MAGNETICS AND MATERIALS CHARACTERISATION.

Each year, literally hundreds of scientific publications, advancing the science of materials, use data generated from QD instruments.

Helping quantum computer makers get colder, faster.

NEW FRONTIERS

Montana Instruments don’t make quantum computers; they enable those who do ... and will

Quantum computing promises to deliver major advances in a wide variety of fields including simulations of the natural world, virtual quantum experiments, quantum cryptography, data communication systems, and new pharmaceutical drug research and design These new and exciting research frontiers in quantum computing rely on two hallmarks of quantum physics: the superposition of states and quantum interference

QUANTUM COMPUTING

Four approaches

Montana Instruments has developed a line of cryogenic products to meet the needs of the quantum computing industry for research and development, production testing, and critical quantum computer infrastructure There are multiple active architectures under consideration for the realisation of a scalable quantum computer The most promising candidates are those utilising photonics, spin/quantum dots, superconducting circuits, and trapped ions

Photonics

Spin/quantum dots

Superconducting circuits

Trapped ions

QUANTUM COMPUTING

CRYOGENICS FOR QUANTUM

Montana Instruments has overcome the cryogenic barriers to entry for ion trap, photonic, and superconducting circuit research and development

They've done this by helping alleviate the following common experimental challenges:

Disruptions to the local sample environment such as mechanical vibrations can impart energy to the qubit states and destroy the quantum environment

Trapped ion experiments require high vacuum conditions to reduce the number of molecular collisions with trapped ions

Cryogenic conditions are required because thermal energy can excite vibrational motion that disrupts the quantum computing operations

Thermal radiation can drive undesirable internal RF transitions in trapped ions or can raise a superconducting circuit above its critical temperature

Power fluctuations in laser sources as well as RF power source instabilities perturb the QC system

Fluctuating external magnetic fields can alter atomic transitions (Zeeman effect)

A high vacuum, low vibration, and stable cryogenic environment are required to prevent any unwanted excitation of the qubit state. Superior optical access (low working distance and high numerical aperture) for spatially resolved laser excitation and high collection efficiency fluorescent readout is also necessary for trapped ions and some spin/quantum dots.

Low vibration

Low vibrations are key to preventing energy transfer to qubits and distortion of the quantum state.

Stable, low temperature (<4K)

Cryogenic environments minimise thermal excitation of qubits. <10mK temperature stability is important to minimise thermal excitation.

Low working distance

A low working distance objective with a high numerical aperture (0.9 NA, for example) provides a narrow excitation spot for individual trapped ions and provides high collection efficiency. Our objective is temperature controlled to virtually eliminate drift. This eliminates the need for frequent realignment and maximises data collection time.

Easy access to sample

Additional window ports may be used to laser ablate (generate the ions) or laser cool (prepare the quantum states). Our cryogenic systems can be configured with multiple side windows and a top window. In addition, the availability of larger sample spaces make it easy to address the sample from multiple incident angles.

Electrical access

Many electrical feedthroughs may be required to either generate the RF trapping potential or operate the superconducting circuit. Our base panels can be used to add low frequency/DC wires in addition to coaxial wires for low loss and higher frequency signal (up to approximately 20GHz). The sample space is kept uncluttered through the use of specially designed low thermal heat load cryogenic ribbon cables.

High vacuum

Molecular and atomic collisions can excite qubits out of their quantum state or completely knock an ion out of the trap, destroying the quantum crystal. Our integrated charcoal cryo-pumps enable high vacuum operation for months at a time.

The Montana Cryostation lies at the heart of a number of experiments in my group. The Cryo-Optic add-on allows us to perform optical spectroscopy on single organic molecules at low temperature with excellent collected photon count rates from the in-vacuum high-NA objective. The system reaches a base temperature low enough to observe atomically-narrow resonances in these molecules, making them suitable for use in quantum technology.

The automated temperature control allows us to investigate the effects of phonon-induced dephasing with ease, while the integrated nanopositioning system and sample holder – designed in collaboration with Montana Instruments and QDUK – is fully compatible with the nanophotonic devices we are investigating at low temperature. All of our experiments benefit from the low vibrations seen in the Montana Cryostation, stable coupling to nano-

-photonic waveguides to diffractionlimited confocal microscopy. The support we have received from QD-UK has been excellent – they are easily contactable should issues arise and are very open to collaborative problem solving to expedite finding a solution. Having all of this is in a closed-cycle system that does not require the purchase of expensive and increasingly rare liquid helium is the icing on the cake.”

The First SMU Optimised

for Nanoscale Devices

A new module for the Lake Shore Cryotronics M81-SSM has been launched, the M81-SMU-10. This is the first SMU on the market with DC, AC and lock-in detection, optimised for characterising nanoscale devices.

The source measure unit (SMU10) is the latest module addition to the MeasureReady™ M81SSM synchronous source measure system. It is specifically designed to handle the delicate nature of nano and ultra- cold samples with exceptionally low source noise and high measurement sensitivity. The SMU-10 offers both DC and AC capabilities and an integrated lock-in, providing a comprehensive suite of measurements tailored to advanced research applications

“

The new SMU-10 makes highly sensitive, selective AC detection technology used in research labs conveniently available to semiconductor design and test engineers. Using the familiar four-instrumentsin-one SMU format, they can easily make extremely sensitive, low-noise measurements”

Chuck Cimino, Senior Product Manager for Lake Shore.

Ideal for MultiTerminal Device Testing

find out more

SOURCE/MEASURE

When testing multi-terminal devices in a cryogenic probe station, use the M81SSM with SMU-10 modules to apply voltage or current to the DUT and measure the corresponding current or voltage. The SMU’s topology reduces the number of probe arms by half, significantly minimising thermal impact. Set compliance limits to protect the DUT from accidental overloads.

ADVANCED RESISTANCE

The M81-SSM’s advanced resistance mode compensates for phase shifts caused by parasitic capacitance in cryogenic environments, ensuring more accurate resistance measurements. This technique reduces errors significantly, improving measurement accuracy.

FOUR-WIRE VOLTAGE MONITORING

Ideal for high-current devices. The Sense-HI and Sense-LO leads enable 4wire measurements for built-in device voltage monitoring while sourcing currents. Synchronised sampling Patented MeasureSync™ technology ensures perfect timing coordination for AC or DC measurements across multiple SMU-10 modules, eliminating data misalignment errors.

APPLICATIONS

The SMU-10 module is useful in any low-power test applications that have challenging signal-to-noise ratios. Primary applications include I-V characterisation of transistors used in specialised sensors, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), quantum computer readout electronics, and emerging sand integrated circuit nanoscale semiconductor-based devices

The SMU has got this convenience argument … whether you want to put a voltage or a current –measure voltage – it’s simply a programming choice. You don’t have to move wires around. You don’t have to get another instrument.”

Chuck Cimino, Senior Product Manager Lake Shore

The SMU-10, which occupies two channels (one for sourcing and one for measuring), exemplifies this flexibility. While it can operate on a single source channel, that setup limits its measurement functionality The M81SSM simplifies complex instrumentation setups by integrating DC/AC sourcing, DC/AC measuring, resistance measurements, and lock-in capabilities into a single, ultra low-noise solution.

We’re about one-tenth of the noise [of competing instruments],” notes Cimino, emphasising the noise performance improvements in comparison to other SMUs.”

Chuck Cimino, Senior Product Manager for Lake Shore.

Minimise thermal impact by using SMU-10 modules with a probe station. In this example, the orange wire is the source, the light blue wire is the drain, the dark blue wire is the gate, and the black wire is the ground.

THE MEASUREREADY™ M81-SSM

The MeasureReady™ M81-SSM is a unique instrument architecture that provides a reliable and streamlined approach for advanced measurement applications Its modular design allows multiple compact modules to connect to the main M81-SSM instrument, enabling a variety of source and measure configurations Available with two, four, or six channels, the M81-SSM dedicates half of its channels to measure modules and the other half to source modules.

Facilitating the secure and speedy transmission of information

Connecting the Dots

The development of quantum networking promises multiple applications - quantum processor linking, secure communication, and connected arrays of entangled instruments - for human connection The technology relies on the ability to send qubits across a network of quantum devices that are physically separated. Research in the field assures the scaling of computing power, secure encryption, and the most precise instrumentation to date.

Protecting the Signal

Montana Instruments has developed a line of cryogenic products to meet the needs of quantum networking researchers and industry pioneers Challenges in the field arise from single photon emission and detection, increasing transmission distances between nodes, and maintaining quantum memories. Several technologies are forging ahead with promising results, including diamond NV centers, spin/quantum dots, trapped atoms, and trapped ions.

Cryogenics for Quantum Networks

From stand-alone laboratory experiments to expansive network builds, Montana Instruments has the products and manufacturing expertise to support demanding requirements. Leverage our cryogenics to aid in:

Integration of high NA optics with increased collection efficiency and vibrational stability, helping to reduce excitation powers, minimise scattering, and maximise measurement sensitivity

Cryogenic temperatures and thermal stability required for superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) to increase detection efficiency, reduce dark noise, and improve count rate

Achieving cryogenic conditions required due to thermal energy that excites vibrational motion that disrupts the quantum computing operations

Reducing thermal radiation that can drive undesirable internal RF transitions in trapped ions or can raise a superconducting circuit above its critical temperature

Minimising power fluctuations in laser sources as well as RF power source instabilities that perturb the QC system

Fluctuating external magnetic fields that can alter atomic transitions (Zeeman effect)