Arran Ashfield (He/Him)

Current Research:

Nanophotonic Interfaces for Solid State Qubits

Quantum information encoding, communication, manipulation, transmission, and detection rely on "quantum emitters," which emit photons. These emitters are typically microscopic systems such as atoms, ions, or molecules, but can also be atomic impurities within solid-state materials like diamond and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), where their transitions between different energy levels result in photon emission. I am aiming to enhance the single photon emission rate in hBN at ambient temperatures. Solid-state quantum emitters are crucial for developing compact, scalable devices that excel in speed, size, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. These emitters offer robust, integrable platforms that can be manufactured using existing semiconductor technology, facilitating the transition from laboratory research to practical quantum devices. However, solid-state hosts can degrade the quantum coherence properties of these emitters due to factors such as lattice imperfections, phonons, and external electric or magnetic fields that perturb the energy levels and internal spin states of quantum emitters. These factors impede quantum coherence and limit the scalability of solid-state quantum systems for real-world applications. A useful advantage of my research is the enhancement of the single photon emission rate can reduce the outlined decoherence mechanisms.

Biography:

I graduated with a MSci Applied Mathematics and Physics from QUB in July 2024. I thoroughly enjoyed my final year MSci project under the supervision of Prof. Gabriele De Chiara where I researched the quantum thermodynamics and quantum collisions between an open quantum system and its surrounding environment. My MSci project coalesced with my thorough enjoyment of studying the physics of materials characterisation in final year is what motivated me to apply for this PhD.   Outside of my academic life, I enjoy watching football and rugby, and have a keen interest in music, especially the Eurovision Song Contest!

Research Interests:

• Quantum Thermodynamics

Supervisors:

Dr. Hamidreza Siampour and Prof. Robert Bowman