Develops scalable, atomically-precise low-dimensional (2D/1D/0D) materials and heterostructures, focusing on single-photon emitters and spin defects in semiconductors for quantum sensing and molecular-based qubits.
Siddarth Joshi's group works on satellite-based quantum key distribution, quantum information protocols, and chip-scale quantum technologies. Research: (1) QKD receiver miniaturization for satellites and CubeSats; (2) chip-scale quantum random number generation and single-photon detection; (3) quantum metrology and sensing with photonic chips. Part of EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub.
Kante's group explores topological and non-Hermitian (parity-time-symmetric) photonic structures, including magnetless nonreciprocal metasurfaces and topological lasers, to control light-matter interaction in nanophotonic devices in ways not accessible to conventional photonics.
Studies light-matter interaction at the nanoscale (metasurfaces, thermal emission, plasmonics) and, with Jennifer Choy, has developed metasurface polarizing beamsplitters that enable compact, chip-integrated atomic magnetometers (optically pumped magnetometry) alongside broader work in quantum and topological photonics.
Kuhlmey works on structured electromagnetic materials across an unusually wide frequency range: microstructured optical fibres, metamaterials, non-reciprocal and time-varying media, and — the newest and most sensing-relevant thread — quantum terahertz photonics, in collaboration with ENS Paris and CSIRO. The THz programme is explicitly aimed at single-photon/single-electron coupling in the THz band, which if it works would allow quantum devices to operate at a few kelvin rather than millikelvin. The group runs a THz time-domain spectroscopy lab with cryogenic capability. Positioned against the established body of NV-ensemble quantum sensing work — DEER, nanoscale NMR and T1 relaxometry protocols operating at pT/sqrt(Hz) field sensitivity — the THz band is the one part of the spectrum where neither superconducting circuits nor NV ensembles currently offer quantum-limited detection, so this is a genuine gap-filling programme rather than a variation on existing pT/sqrt(Hz) approaches.
Kobus Kuipers' lab develops and applies near-field optical microscopy to study nanophotonic phenomena with sub-wavelength spatial resolution. Research: (1) near-field imaging of topological photonic states (topological edge and interface modes in photonic crystals); (2) near-field microscopy of plasmonics and nanophotonics; (3) visualizing light transport at the nanoscale. Borderline for quantum sensing but directly relevant to nanophotonic quantum sensing platforms.
Anthony Laing's group pioneers photonic quantum computing and quantum simulation, having invented integrated quantum photonics. Research: (1) universal reconfigurable photonic quantum processors; (2) photonic quantum simulation for chemistry and materials science; (3) photonic quantum sensing using multi-photon interference on chip. Founded PsiQuantum co-founder and Quantum in the Summer school.
Laucht works on the quantum control of spins across two platforms: donor spin qubits in silicon (with Morello and Dzurak), where he demonstrated electrically-driven single-spin control in a continuous microwave field and pioneered dressed-state protection against decoherence; and, more recently, spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride — a 2D material whose optically addressable spin defects are the most promising candidate for a van der Waals analogue of the NV centre, with the enormous advantage that the sensor can be placed a single atomic layer from the sample. Positioned against the established body of NV-ensemble quantum sensing work — DEER, nanoscale NMR and T1 relaxometry protocols operating at pT/sqrt(Hz) field sensitivity — hBN spin defects are the field's most active attempt to beat the standoff-distance limitation that caps near-surface NV ensemble sensitivity; a candidate with NV ODMR experience would be immediately productive here, running the same pulse sequences on a new defect. Strong fit.
Lauret studies quantum light from low-dimensional materials - room-temperature single-photon emission from carbon nanotubes and defects in hexagonal boron nitride, coupled to photonic/plasmonic structures - a fundamental-photon and quantum-emitter platform. In the broader landscape of NV-centre ensemble quantum sensing (DEER, nano-NMR, T1 relaxometry) operating near pT/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity, this work provides solid-state single-photon sources adjacent to spin-defect sensing.
Ledoux-Rak works on molecular and polymer nonlinear optics - second-harmonic generation, electro-optic modulators, and photonic materials/devices - a fundamental-light and nonlinear-photonics program (legacy LPQM at ENS Cachan). In the broader landscape of NV-centre ensemble quantum sensing (DEER, nano-NMR, T1 relaxometry) operating near pT/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity, this work connects via nonlinear-optical materials for photon-pair generation and modulation.