SQUID measurements for the quantum domain

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Quantum mechanics is our most profound physical theory. Revolutions in our understanding of the quantum world, and in particular our understanding of the quantum properties of materials, have allowed us to build computers and smartphones, as well as all kinds of state-of-the-art medical instrumentation. These rely on the quantum properties of materials in their ground state, such as the superconductors in an MRI scanner or the magnets in a wind turbine. The next generation of quantum materials will come from university laboratories which engage in materials discovery, synthesising new compounds or fabricating crystals of new crystalline solids; this is an area in which the UK is particularly strong and in which there is significant activity. In order to characterise the newly discovered materials, it is necessary to measure their magnetic properties and, crucially, this often needs to be carried out at very low temperature (sub-1 Kelvin). This is in order to reduce the randomness that is induced by thermal fluctuations and allow the true ground state properties to be revealed. Although magnetic property measurement systems are commonly used in many university laboratories is the UK (and there is a capacity issue because the demand for such instruments by UK research groups is extremely high) this proposal seeks to solve a capability issue, namely the need to enter the sub-1 Kelvin regime. The new equipment will be able to operate down to about 400 mK, nearly an order of magnitude lower than in conventional systems and will therefore allow the investigation of novel quantum ground states and enable the studies to enter the quantum domain.