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 — 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 — using DNA nanostructures to precisely position molecular spin qubits for multi-qubit sensing and quantum information applications; (3) surface atom spin resonance — 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.
Foot leads the Ultracold Quantum Matter group and is one of the two Oxford physics PIs co-leading the AION project at Oxford. His group develops laser-cooled strontium atom sources with the ultranarrow Sr-87 clock transition for large-scale single-photon atom interferometry. Near-term goals include the AION-10, a 10-m baseline vertical atom interferometer currently under construction in the Beecroft Building stairwell, targeting dark matter searches and mid-band gravitational wave detection. Foot's group also studies non-equilibrium 2D quantum gas physics (BKT transition, vortex dynamics) using matter-wave interferometry. AION is linked to MAGIS-100 at Fermilab.
Karenowska leads the Quantum Magnonics group, which develops low-temperature microwave magnonic circuits to probe magnon physics at the quantum level. Core experiments are conducted at millikelvin temperatures in a dilution refrigerator. Research foci include: (1) propagating magnon dynamics in YIG waveguides at mK temperatures — measuring spin-wave pulse propagation and characterising the low-temperature ferromagnetic resonance frequency shift; (2) magnon-phonon (phonon-to-magnon) interconversion via magnetoelastic coupling and symmetry breaking in YIG; (3) spin-cat state generation in ferromagnetic insulators — theoretical and experimental work toward macroscopic quantum superposition states of magnons; and (4) magnon spintronics — spin-charge interconversion in YIG/metal heterostructures. These systems are relevant for microwave quantum information processing and quantum-limited magnetic-frequency-band sensing.
Kuhn leads the Atom-Photon Connection group, working at the single-atom, single-photon level. Key research thrusts: (1) deterministic generation of indistinguishable single photons from single atoms in high-finesse cavities, with cluster-state production for one-way quantum computing; (2) development of integrated fibre-tip microcavities with small radius-of-curvature for >50% photon capture efficiency and direct fibre coupling; (3) single-photon quantum memories using cavity-coupled atom systems; and (4) optical trapping of single atoms in the Lamb-Dicke regime for quantum simulation and networking. The group uses reinforcement learning for optimal quantum control of atom-cavity systems.
Tan leads the Superconducting Quantum Detectors group, holding ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants. Two main research pillars: (1) Quantum-limited SIS mixer development — pushing THz SIS heterodyne receivers above the Nb gap (~700 GHz) using NbTiN/NbN films for next-generation ALMA wideband sensitivity upgrade (Band 9) and large-format focal-plane mixer arrays for JCMT/SMA; (2) Superconducting parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) — fabricating kinetic-inductance and Josephson-junction TWPAs achieving near-quantum-limited broadband noise performance from microwave to THz, with applications to dark matter/axion searches (ABRACADABRA/prototype cavity haloscope), quantum computing qubit readout, and CMB-grade receivers. Group is transitioning TWPA fabrication in-house using Beecroft Building cleanroom. ERC Consolidator Grant awarded 2024.
Vedral leads the Quantum Devices and Biosystems group, working at the intersection of quantum information and biology. Research themes include: (1) quantum effects in living systems — studying entanglement and non-classicality in biological organisms such as tardigrades placed in quantum superposition inside superconducting qubits; (2) BMV-type experiments to test whether gravity is a quantum field by measuring gravity-mediated entanglement between two massive quantum superpositions; (3) theoretical frameworks for witnessing quantum effects in complex macroscopic systems. While primarily theoretical, the group actively collaborates with and directs experiments. Borderline: included as the group formally aims for experimental demonstrations of quantum effects in living systems.