Speaker
Description
Electrons trapped on the surface of liquid helium constitute one of the purest two-dimensional electron systems in nature, forming a clean, defect-free platform in which electrons are bound to the surface by their image charge and are free to move laterally with record high mobilities. This system has long been of fundamental interest for studies of two-dimensional physics and, more recently, has emerged as a compelling candidate for quantum information applications, owing to the long coherence times expected for electrons isolated from the nuclear-spin-free helium environment. A central experimental challenge is developing the cryogenic infrastructure and sensitive electronics required to detect and manipulate electrons at the single-charge level on this surface. Here we present an ongoing project at the University of Cape Town aimed at designing and constructing a new superfluid helium probe system for the UCT dilution refrigerator, together with the custom low-noise electronics necessary for single-electron-sensitive transport measurements. State-of-the-art nanoelectronic device cells will be fabricated at international partner institutions and cooled to millikelvin temperatures for measurement. The programme will advance from the detection of discrete packets of surface-state electrons toward the ultimate goal of isolating and detecting individual charges. This work will establish a new experimental capability at UCT for probing electrons on helium and contribute to the broader international effort to achieve single-electron control in this uniquely clean quantum system.
| Apply for student award at which level: | MSc |
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| Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission | Yes, I ACCEPT |