Quantum and 2D metamaterials
We advance quantum and 2D metamaterials by engineering quantum meta-atoms, solid-state defects, and atom-thin heterostructures that enable new capabilities in quantum information, sensing, imaging, and energy harvesting. Combining theory, fabrication, and characterisation, we create tunable materials with tailored light–matter interactions, supporting applications from photonics to wearable and environmental technologies.
In this section
Our research
As with a conventional metamaterial, a quantum metamaterial is composed of an array of resonant meta-atoms at a scale comparable to, or smaller, than the wavelength of interest. What sets quantum metamaterials apart is that the behaviour of these individual building blocks, and therefore the overall response of the metamaterial, is determined by laws of quantum mechanics. There is an extensive list of potential meta-atoms to explore, such as semiconductor quantum dots, solid-state defects, superconducting qubits, and cold atoms. The challenge lies in manufacturing and controlling large scale arrays, whilst maintaining quantum coherence across the ensemble.
If this control can be realised, quantum metamaterials offer enticing long-term opportunities in the processing, storage and networking of quantum information, and in nearer-term applications, such as solar energy harvesting and quantum-enhanced sensing and imaging.
Our research
Our work is focused on the development of meta-atoms and their integration into quantum metamaterials, as well as new devices and materials for applications in quantum technology.
We investigate:
- Meta-atoms, including Solid-state defects and semiconductor quantum dots,
- 2D-material heterostructure engineering,
- Novel materials and devices for the generation and detection of quantum light,
- Integrated devices for quantum sensing,
- Quantum enhanced imaging,
- Theory of quantum metamaterials and quantum information processing.
The synthesis of 2D materials, with thicknesses of only a few atoms, has ushered in an exciting new era for materials science. The reduced dimensionality of these materials, such as graphene or hexagonal boron nitride, leads to incredible electronic, mechanical, photonic and thermal properties such as huge electrical & thermal conductivities, optical transparency and impressive mechanical flexibility. Combining 2D materials into heterostructures produces even more possibilities by tailoring the van der Waals interaction between layers.
The extraordinary properties of 2D materials and their heterostructures make them a natural choice as building blocks in metamaterial systems that can display properties unseen in the natural world.
Our research
The research in the CMRI on 2D metamaterials encompasses the entire scope with computation & theory to predict the properties of materials and heterostructures, fabrication & lithography of the samples and the measurement of properties. Some of the research directions our inter-disciplinary team are pursuing in this area include:
- Electrical tuning of 2D interlayer excitons,
- Single photon detection and emission,
- Predicting the structure of 2D materials and interfaces in heterostructures,
- Novel quantum phenomena in nanoelectronics,
- Integration of 2D materials with textiles.
Real-world applications
Metamaterials composed of 2D materials represent an exciting prospect for a variety of applications, some of the practical developments that we have already been working towards include:
- Wearable self-powered biosensors using 2D materials on textiles,
- Ultra-thin and flexible environmental sensors (measuring pressure, humidity and temperature),
- Coatings to improve the efficiency of solar panels.
In addition to these areas, our researchers are always keen to explore new ways at bridging the gap between scientific development and industrial applications.
Facilities
Alex Savchenko Centre for Nanoscience
We have two cleanrooms covering a total of 150 m2. The Savchenko Centre is a purpose built semiconductor type cleanroom with advanced air-condition control of temperature and humidity to provide ISO Class 5 and 6 working environments. An acid bench with an integrated DI water system and two solvent benches, all with their own Class 4 laminar air flow systems, are built into the facility to complement the fabrication process.
A second cleanroom is used as a dedicated optical lithography area housing a number of optical lithography and deposition systems.
- Cleanrooms
- We have two in-house state of the art cleanrooms covering a total area of 150 m², providing ISO Class 5 and ISO Class 6 environments for micro- and nanofabrication. The following tools support the fabrication of micro and nano photonic structures, visible to infrared metamaterials, microfluidic components, optoelectronic devices, micromechanical systems, sensors and biomedical microstructures.
- Lithography
- High resolution patterning capability through: A NanoBeam NB4 100kV electron-beam lithography system, capable of producing features down to ~10 nm on a variety of substrates up to 150 mm; Microlight3D microFAB-3D.Advanced two-photon polymerisation (2PP) lithography tool for direct-write 3D microfabrication, producing free-form polymer structures with feature sizes down to ~200 nm; Durham Magneto Optics Microwriter ML direct-write laser system (405 nm), a Karl Suss MJB4 i-line mask aligner and a Kloe UV-Kub 2 UV exposure system.
- Thin-film deposition
- High quality thin film material deposition (metallic and dielectric) through: HHV TF500 sputterer and Auto306 thermal evaporator; Lesker PVD75 combined electron-beam and thermal evaporator; Moorfield nanoPVD S10A benchtop sputtering system.
- Dry etching
- Plasma etching and surface processing capability through: JLS Designs RIE80 RF / ICP Reactive Ion Etching system, and Moorfield NanoETCH.
Supporting fabrication equipment includes a dicing saw (LoadPoint Micro Ace 3 Dicing Saw), wire bonders (K&S 4123 and 4700 Wire Bonders) and a critical-point dryer. Metrology includes optical microscopy (Nikon LV150 Upright Microscopes), scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry (KLA-Tencor D-100 Surface Profiler) and an electrical 4-point probe station.
We have complementary metrology and characterisation tooling, including an Imaging Suite, which includes focused ion beam and electron microscopy (TESCAN VEGA3 SEM, xT Nova Nanolab 600 FIB SEM, JEOL 2100 TEM), x-ray diffraction (Bruker D8 advanced XRD), atomic force microscopy (Bruker Innova AFM), FTIR microscope (Bruker LUMOS II) and automated 3D light microscope (Keyence VHX-7000).
