Group members

Principal Investigator

• Professor Robert Hadfield

Research Fellows

• Dr Mike Tanner
• Dr Alessandro Casaburi

Applications are open for two Postdoc positions (closing date 15th September) - See Open Positions

Postgraduate Students

• Nathan Gemmell (joint with Professor Gerald Buller, Heriot-Watt University, UK) nrg1@hw.ac.uk
• Robert Heath r.heath.1@research.glasgow.ac.uk
• Robert Kirkwood r.kirkwood.1@research.gla.ac.uk
• Luke Baker (from October 2013)
• Andrea Pizzone (from October 2013)
• Archan Banerjee (from October 2013)

Former Group Members

• Dr Chandra Mouli Natarajan (PhD Heriot-Watt University 2011) - Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, USA
• Dr John O'Connor (PhD Heriot-Watt University 2011) - Sellafield Ltd., UK
• Dr Catherine Fitzpatrick (EngD Heriot-Watt University 2013) - Cambridge Consultants, UK

Group addresses

• Professor Hadfield's Office: Room 618 Rankine Building Level 6, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 330 4929
• Group Office: 74 Oakfield Avenue, Room 204, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 330 3159.
• Group Laboratory:  Room 222b Rankine Building Level 2, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 330 8182.

Research projects

Integrated quantum photonics

Contacts: Robert Hadfield, Mike Tanner

Collaborations: University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, University of Cambridge

The optical photon is an ideal quantum bit or qubit for the transfer and processing of quantum information.  Waveguide circuit technology offers an ideal platform for scalable optical quantum information processing.  Proof-of-principal demonstrations have already been carried out; the goal now is integrate single photon sources and detectors together onto a waveguide circuit.  We are partners in major UK projects, in collaboration with Bristol and Sheffield.

Practical infrared single photon detector systems

Contact: Robert Hadfield

Collaborations: National Physical Laboratory, UK, ID Quantique, Switzerland

Advanced detectors based on superconducting materials have tremendous potential in applications such as infrared photon counting.  The requirement for low temperature operation has been a significant obstacle to the widespread use of such detectors.  We are experts in constructing practical systems based on closed-cycle refrigeration.  We can mount multiple fibre-coupled detectors inside a single refrigerator.  This has enabled us to employ superconducting detectors in a very wide range of applications.  We have also delivered full detector systems to scientific partners including the UK National Physical Laboratory, the University of Toronto, Canada, the University of Bristol, UK and ID Quantique SA, Switzerland.

Distributed fibre temperature sensing

Contact: Mike Tanner

Collaborations: National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA

In collaboration with the NIST, USA, we have recently demonstrated a new type of distributed fibre temperature sensor.  This sensor exploits the process of Raman scattering and infrared single photon detection to infer the temperature as a function of position along the optical fibre.  This technique could be extremely usefully for distributed temperature sensing in large scale structures and harsh environments.  We aim to scale up this technique to kilometre distances, and carry out field trials in partnership with industry.

Singlet oxygen luminescence detection

Contact: Robert Hadfield

Collaborations: Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Canada

This is an important medical application of infrared photon counting.  Photodynamic therapy is a promising method of cancer treatment, but determining the dose delivered is a serious clinical challenge.   By detecting singlet oxygen luminescence at 1270 nm wavelength using a superconducting nanowire, we provide a direct method of dosimetry.

Mid infrared photon counting arrays

Contacts: Robert Hadfield, Alessandro Casaburi

Superconducting nanowires are a promising technology for infrared photon counting, with low dark counts and excellent timing resolution.  Current devices are typically 10 micrometres across, suitable for coupling with single-mode optical fibre.  Using state-of-the-art electron beam patterning at the University of Glasgow we aim to develop multipixel nanowire arrays covering much larger areas.  Using ultra narrow wires we aim to achieve enhanced mid infrared performance.

Single molecule detection

Contact: Alessandro Casaburi

Collaborations: CNR Naples, Italy, AIST Tskuba, Japan

Time of flight mass spectrometry is a powerful technique for analysis of chemical compounds.   Current detector technology has poor sensitivity to lighter molecules (in the keV range).  Superconducting stripline detectors offer improved performance and proof of principle demonstrations have been performed in partnership with the AIST Laboratory in Tsukuba, Japan.  We are currently developing superconducting stripline arrays with millimetre active areas (below: four stripline devices on a 3mm x 3mm chip).

Selected publications

Integrated quantum photonics
Bonneau, D., Lobino (2012) Fast Path and polarization manipulation of telecom wavelength single photons in lithium niobate waveguide devices. Physical Review Letters, 108 (5). 053601. ISSN 0031-9007 (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.053601)

Practical infrared single photon detector systems
Natarajan, C. M. et al. (2012) 'Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: physics and applications' Superconductor Science and Technology, 25 (6). 063001. ISSN 0953-2048 (doi:10.1088/0953-2048/25/6/063001)

Distributed fibre temperature sensing
Tanner, M.G et al. (2011) 'High-resolution single-mode fiber-optic distributed Raman sensor for absolute temperature measurement using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors' Applied Physics Letters, 99 (20). p. 201110. ISSN 0003-6951 (doi:10.1063/1.3656702)

Singlet oxygen luminescence detection
Gemmell NR et al (2013) 'Singlet oxygen luminescence detection with a fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector' Optics Express 21 (4) 5005 (Abstract)

Mid infrared photon counting arrays
Natarajan, C. M. et al. (2012) 'Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: physics and applications' Superconductor Science and Technology, 25 (6). 063001. ISSN 0953-2048 (doi:10.1088/0953-2048/25/6/063001)

Single molecule detection
Casaburi A. et al (2009) 'Subnanosecond time response of large-area superconducting stripline detectors for keV molecular ions' Applied Physics Letters 94 212502 (Abstract)

Open positions

We are happy to welcome new group members at all levels: summer internships for undergraduates, postgraduate research students, postdoctoral fellows and scientific visitors.  For information on PhD funding and the application procedure http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/phdopportunities/

Please contact Professor Robert Hadfield (robert.hadfield@glasgow.ac.uk) if you interested in joining the Quantum Sensors group.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate - Closing date 15th September 2013

We are seeking two talented and motivated individuals to accelerate our efforts in developing advanced on-chip nanoscale superconducting single-photon detectors integrated with waveguide circuits. We aim to create advanced devices with near unity efficiency, suitable for the most demanding applications in quantum information processing. Our group is a partner in two major UK projects in this area, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and the University of Bristol. The Quantum Sensors group is one of the leading groups worldwide in advanced infrared photon-counting detectors. At the University of Glasgow we have full access to one of the finest nanofabrication centres in Europe, the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre. Our laboratories include dedicated facilities for deposition of superconducting thin films, and advanced low temperature electrical and optical testing. Our group has strong links with leading laboratories in Europe, North America and Japan and we have an excellent track record supporting early stage researchers. 

Requirements: Applicants should hold, or should be close to completing a PhD in the area of nanoscience, electrical engineering, experimental physics or materials science. 
Desirable skills: We encourage applicants with any of the following skills: Thin film deposition, nanofabrication, modelling of optical devices, nano-optics, cryostat design, low temperature measurement, waveguide circuit design and characterization, experimental quantum optics.

Informal Enquiries: applicants may contact Professor Robert Hadfield. 
Email: robert.hadfield@glasgow.ac.uk ; Telephone +44 141 330 4929. 

This position has funding for up to 2 years in the first instance

Link to full online application

Prizes and awards

• 2012 J&E Hall Gold Medal of the Institute of Refrigeration (Robert Hadfield)
• 2012 Marie Curie Fellowship (Alessandro Casaburi)
• 2012 Picoquant GmbH Scientific Image Prize (Michael Tanner)
• 2011 SU2P Science Bridges Entrepreneurial Fellowship (Chandra Mouli Natarajan)
• 2010 Fellowship of the Institute of Physics (Robert Hadfield)
• 2007 Royal Society University Research Fellowship (Robert Hadfield)