Quantum physics research at The University of Queensland has received $81,500 funding to develop a compact, low-cost new technology providing a competitive advantage for building large-scale quantum systems.
ARC Future Fellow in The University of Queensland’s School of Mathematics and Physics Dr Arkady Fedorov was awarded a 2016 UQFoundation Research Excellence award (FREA) at a Brisbane Customs House ceremony for his research.
“My project aims to develop quantum non-reciprocal devices on a chip to enhance measurement sensitivity, give better protection to quantum systems from noise, and develop circuits with a new functionality,” Dr Fedorov said
“The benefits of this include enhancing the sensitivity of microwave measurements at ultra-cold temperatures, improved fitness for use in quantum technologies, and cost savings for a growing number of cryogenic companies across Australia and worldwide.”
Dr Fedorov said that in microwave circuits, non-reciprocal elements known as “circulators” and “isolators” played a crucial role in protecting sensitive elements from noise and in measuring reflected signals.
“Unfortunately these elements are bulky, expensive, and suffer signal loses, making them difficult to use in low-temperature applications,” he said.
“Integrating a circulator on a chip will enable large-scale fabrication with potentially a very small cost per element.”
The new systems are expected to benefit fields as diverse as metrology – the science of measurement; quantum computers; and to simulate complex biological systems.
Dr Fedorov is a member of the School’s Superconducting Quantum Devices Lab which has several experimental projects at the forefront of the field of superconducting quantum circuits.
Dr Fedorov is also the Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems
A Masters graduate of St Petersburg State University, Russia (2001), he moved to Clarkson University, USA to complete his PhD in 2005.
Dr Fedorov was appointed a postdoctoral fellow at KIT, Germany. In 2007-2010 he joined Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands and he subsequently investigated superconducting quantum devices as a research scientist in ETH Zurich.
In 2013 he joined The University of Queensland as a group leader focusing on the experimental study of quantum phenomena in systems consisting of superconducting artificial atoms, microwave resonators and mechanical oscillators.
Watch Dr Fedorov discussing his research.
The awards ceremony was part of UQ Research Week which aims to raise awareness of UQ research across key stakeholders.
Media: Dr Arkady Fedorov, a.fedorov@uq.edu.au, +61 7 336 53418
