Superconducting resonators for high field quantum materials characterisation

The goal of this studentship is to develop superconducting resonators as a probe for investigating coupled exotic magnetic materials. The resonator must operate under high magnetic fields to access phenomena such as quantum criticality and frustrated magnetism in the coupled material. Using superconducting resonators for indirect materials characterisation is well-established but has previously relied on "traditional" materials that cease to superconduct in high magnetic fields; the materials we wish to characterise are often only interesting under such a high field. At Cardiff University, we have pioneered the use of superconducting boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond (BNCD) for device applications and previous Cardiff-led research has shown that BNCD can withstand sufficiently high fields to make it an ideal material for this purpose. We have also recently recently shown a prototype device demonstrating that BNCD has the properties required for an enhanced shift to its resonant frequency when coupled to a material of interest.
Within this project, the student will design, simulate, fabricate and measure superconducting resonators with starting parameters determined from our proof-of-concept prototype, and determine the predicted shift in the resonant frequency under a magnetic field when specific materials are brought close to the device. The simulations will benchmark experimental applications of the device measured using a dilution fridge with a base temperature of 10mK and magnetic fields up to 8T.