About the project
The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a widespread quantum technology that exploits the quantum magnetic properties of atomic nuclei to probe the dynamics and structure of matter, using strong magnetic fields. One example of an NMR technique is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is of great clinical importance.
This project explores a new concept which is called a “nuclear spin wire”. This refers to a molecular arrangement in which a set of nuclear spins are coupled to each other in an extended, roughly linear, arrangement.
We will develop and demonstrate methods for driving nuclear spin order from one end of the wire to the other, using applied magnetic fields. If successful, this phenomenon will become an experimental tool with applications over a range of areas including biomolecular structure determination, chemical structure investigations, and hyperpolarised magnetic resonance imaging.
The project will be a combination of theory, simulation, and experiment. You will develop skills and expertise in:
- quantum theory
- quantum control
- supercomputing
- nuclear magnetic resonance
- nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
