Ardavan leads the Quantum Spin Dynamics group, studying quantum coherent phenomena in condensed matter. Central to the lab's quantum sensing relevance: (1) molecular spin qubits β using pulsed EPR/DEER to characterise and control multi-spin registers ({Cr7Ni} molecular rings, nitroxide radical chains) assembled into qubit networks, measuring coherence times, inter-qubit couplings, and demonstrating spin-electric coupling in molecular magnets; (2) DNA-assembled molecular quantum devices β using DNA nanostructures to precisely position molecular spin qubits for multi-qubit sensing and quantum information applications; (3) surface atom spin resonance β STM-based coherent spin control of individual atoms on surfaces at nanosecond timescales. Uses X-band through W-band pulsed EPR at Centre for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance (CAESR), Oxford.
Bowen leads the CQSE 'Spins and Qubits' theme at Manchester, focusing on organometallic molecular spin qubits for quantum sensing and computing. Research directions: (1) Organometallic La(II) and other rare-earth molecular qudits β designing molecules with multiple accessible spin states (qudits) for encoding quantum information and sensing; (2) Pulsed EPR characterization β Hahn echo, ESEEM, ENDOR at X/W/Q-band to measure coherence times and hyperfine couplings; (3) Integration of molecular qubits into devices β surface deposition and nanoscale addressing; (4) Multi-spin sensing β using exchange-coupled spin pairs as differential sensors of magnetic field gradients. Closely collaborates with Tuna and Winpenny.
Giansiracusa is an early-career PI (ARC DECRA) working on ytterbium and other lanthanoid single-molecule magnets, combining synthesis, magnetometry and ab initio electronic-structure calculation to understand and engineer magnetic anisotropy and spin relaxation. The stated aim of his DECRA is to move Yb-based single-molecule magnets toward real-world application, which in practice means qubit and sensor use cases where long coherence at accessible temperatures matters. Positioned against the established body of NV-ensemble quantum sensing work β DEER, nanoscale NMR and T1 relaxometry protocols operating at pT/sqrt(Hz) field sensitivity β the relaxation-time engineering problem he is attacking is the molecular analogue of the T1/T2 optimisation that sets pT/sqrt(Hz) performance in NV ensembles. Small, new group; a candidate would have unusual latitude but limited infrastructure.
Halsall is a senior PSI photonics researcher focusing on semiconductor spectroscopy and photonic quantum device characterization. Research directions: (1) Deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) β characterizing defects and impurities in semiconductor quantum device structures (Si, GaN, SiC) that are relevant to qubit coherence; (2) Photoluminescence mapping β spatial mapping of optical quality in quantum well and dot wafers for quantum sensing device development; (3) InGaN/GaN quantum wells β non-destructive optical characterization of LED and sensor structures; (4) THz and infrared spectroscopy β contactless Hall measurements and Drude response for quantum material characterization. Provides photonic metrology tools for characterizing quantum sensing device materials.
McInnes leads the National EPR Facility at Manchester (Europe's broadest EPR suite) and researches molecular spin qubits. Research directions: (1) Pulsed EPR spectroscopy of molecular spin systems β Hahn echo, ESEEM, ENDOR, DEER for structural and electronic characterization of inorganic and organometallic complexes; (2) Molecular spin qubits β [Cu(mnt)2]Β²β» and related molecules as candidate qubits; measuring coherence times and investigating decoherence mechanisms; (3) Multi-qubit molecular registers β using exchange interactions for two-qubit gates within a molecule; (4) Magnetic sensing applications β molecular systems for magnetic field sensing below the diffraction limit. Partner of NPL M4Q EPSRC Network for Materials for Quantum.
Parkinson's group uses ultrafast optical spectroscopy to study carrier dynamics in photonic materials with quantum device applications. Research directions: (1) Time-resolved photoluminescence β TRPL with single-photon counting to map exciton lifetimes, diffusion, and defect trapping in GaN, perovskite, and 2D semiconductor quantum wells; (2) Optical single-particle spectroscopy β isolating single nanowires or nanocrystals for defect-free measurements of intrinsic optical properties; (3) Photon-number statistics β Hanbury BrownβTwiss measurements of single-photon purity from quantum dots and localized excitons; (4) Semiconductor quantum sensing interfaces β studying how carrier dynamics affect the fidelity of semiconductor-based quantum sensors and emitters.
Winpenny holds the Regius Chair in Chemistry at Manchester and is a world leader in molecular magnetism and molecular nanomagnets for quantum technologies. Research directions: (1) Molecular nanomagnets β synthesis of Cr7Ni 'horseshoe' rings and related cage clusters as prototype molecular qubits with long T2 times; (2) Multi-qubit molecular architectures β covalently linked molecular qubit pairs and arrays for quantum gate operations and distributed sensing; (3) Quantum error correction in molecules β designing molecular systems encoding logical qubits with error protection; (4) Quantum sensing applications β molecular spin systems as ultra-sensitive nanoscale magnetic sensors in the sub-nm regime. Leading the NPL M4Q Network and UK molecular qubit community.