Research

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

CeNSE has a strong and active research program in the domain of quantum technologies.

Prof. Akshay Naik’s group is using on-chip optical cavities to perform displacement measurements on mechanical systems. The primary interest is using multiple mechanical modes of the device to store quantum information and to observe coherent transfer of information from one mode to another. The versatility of mechanical resonator in coupling to wide variety of stimuli and the ability to cool these devices to quantum ground state make these extremely attractive for probing quantum effects and for other quantum applications.

Prof. Ambarish Ghosh’s group investigates quantum fluids, specifically studying multi- and single electron bubbles in superfluid helium. A major aim of this research is to observe quantum melting in two dimensions, and to develop new probes for imaging quantum turbulence. In a separate project related to quantum sensing, the group has integrated NV-centre containing nanodiamonds with magnetic nanoswimmers, thus forming a unique system of motile quantum sensors for nanoscale magnetometry (e.g. NMR).

Prof. Chandan Kumar’s group works on “van -der Waals heterostructure”, formed through stacking of multiple 2D materials on top of each other. There are emergent phenomena in these novel quantum materials, which can be studied using novel transport and scanning techniques at cryogenic temperatures.

Using ideas of electron correlation, topology and disorder, Prof. Pavan Nukala’s group works on developing various oxide-based quantum materials, with interesting topological properties (skyrmions) for memory applications, as well as phase change applications. Fabrication of quantum sensors require solving complex integration challenges. Various microfabrication and heterogenous integration techniques are being developed to address these challenges. Prosenjit and Akshay’s group are jointly developing ultra-small atomic clocks.

Research activities in quantum technologies have a strong inter-disciplinary flavour with several faculty collaborators from multiple departments at IISc as well as from leading national and international research groups and industries. In addition, there are efforts to commercialize some of the findings through licensing and start-ups.

We have only provided a sub-set of activities pursued by the research groups working in CeNSE on quantum technologies. To know more information about specific projects, you are encouraged to write to the respective group leaders.