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Diamond for quantum applications

Theo Murphy meeting organised by Dr Shannon Nicley, Dr Gavin Morley and Professor Ken Haenen.

Add to Calendar 10/10/22 09:00 AM 10/11/22 05:00 PM United Kingdom (GMT) Diamond for quantum applications <p>Theo Murphy meeting organised by Dr Shannon Nicley, Dr Gavin Morley and Professor Ken Haenen.</p> Whittlebury Park Hotel and Spa
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Overview Organisers Programme

Overview

Theo Murphy meeting organised by Dr Shannon Nicley, Dr Gavin Morley and Professor Ken Haenen.

A discussion on the recent progress of diamond growth and engineering for the creation and optimisation of colour centres, toward the integration of diamond based qubits in quantum systems.

The schedule of talks is available below.

Poster session

There will be an in person poster session on Monday 10 October at the meeting venue which will be available to view for the duration of the meeting. If you would like to apply to present a poster please submit your proposed title, abstract (not more than 200 words and in third person), author list, name of the proposed presenter and institution to the Scientific Programmes team no later than Friday 30 September 2022. Please include the text 'Poster abstract submission' in the email subject line. Please note that places are limited and posters are selected at the scientific organisers' discretion.

Attending this event

This meeting is intended for researchers in relevant fields and is a residential meeting.

  • Free to attend - participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation
  • Meals will be available to book on Eventbrite when registering to attend the meeting
  • Limited places, advance registration essential
  • This is an in-person meeting only

Enquiries: contact the Scientific Programmes team

Image credit: Shannon Nicley

Organisers

Professor Shannon Nicley, Michigan State University, USA

Professor Shannon Nicley, Michigan State University, USA

Shannon Nicley is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), where she researches the growth of doped diamond and other crystalline materials for quantum applications and the discovery and characterization of solid-state qubit candidates. She completed her PhD at MSU in 2015 on the growth of boron doped diamond for high power diode applications and then continued her work in diamond growth as a postdoc at Hasselt University in the group led by Ken Haenen, where she focused on phosphorus doping. In 2018 she became a Royal Society Newton International Fellow at the University of Oxford, where she broadened her experience into quantum optics in the group led by Jason Smith. She is now the PI of the Diamond and Quantum Materials Group (DQM) in the newly founded Quantum Optical Devices (QuOD) lab at MSU, where she is also affiliated with the Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest.

Professor Ken Haenen, Hasselt University, Belgium and IMEC, Belgium

Professor Ken Haenen, Hasselt University, Belgium and IMEC, Belgium

Ken Haenen, Full Professor of Experimental Physics, is Vice-Rector Research & Internationalisation at Hasselt University, Belgium, and guest professor at IMEC, Belgium. Ken is Editor-in-Chief of Diamond and Related Materials, Section Editor of MethodsX (Materials Science), and Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports and Physica Status Solidi. He is involved in the organisation of several leading international diamond and nanocarbon conferences, including the International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials (Chair), Hasselt Diamond Workshop (Co-Chair), and New Diamond and Nano Carbons (Executive Committee). He has organised MRS symposia on carbon functional interfaces at the 2011 and 2013 MRS Spring Meetings, served as a co-chair of the 2015 MRS Spring Meeting, and is currently the Chair of the MRS Program Development Subcommittee, and a member of the Early Career Professional Engagement Subcommittee. Since 1997, Ken’s research interests focus on CVD diamond, including its deposition, optoelectronic characterisation, surface functionalisation, and diamond-based devices, as part of a broader scope on carbon materials for energy harvesting and conversion. To date, he has authored over 240 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr Gavin Morley, University of Warwick, UK

Dr Gavin Morley, University of Warwick, UK

Gavin Morley leads a research group in the Warwick University Physics Department. He did an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics at Oxford University. He has held fellowships from the 1851 Royal Commission and the Royal Society, as well as being supported by two of the UK Quantum Technology Hubs. His research group builds quantum experiments and technologies based on nitrogen vacancy colour centres in diamond. This includes magnetometry, quantum computing chips and an experiment with a levitated nanodiamond which aims to put the nanodiamond into a spatial quantum superposition. In time this may permit a test of the quantum nature of gravity.

Schedule

09:00-13:35
Session 1
4 talks

Chair

Professor Mark Newton, University of Warwick, UK

Professor Mark Newton, University of Warwick, UK

Biography will available soon

09:00-09:30
Exploring the tin vacancy centre in diamond: charge states, spins and photons

Abstract

For many applications in the field of quantum information processing stationary qubits are required, providing long-lived spin coherence and suitable level schemes for coherent control and efficient optical read out. In addition, transferring the spin information to indistinguishable single photons is necessary e.g. to distribute entanglement in quantum networks. 
Colour centres in diamond, more specifically the group-IV-vacancy centres, have emerged as promising candidates among solid state qubits. They exhibit favourable properties such as individually addressable spins with long coherence times and bright emission of single, close to transform limited photons. Recent experiments have shown that the negatively charged tin-vacancy centre (SnV) combines long spin coherence times at conveniently achievable cryogenic temperatures (>1K) with truly lifetime-limited transition linewidths down to 20 MHz. We explore the charge transition cycle upon resonant excitation which leads to shelving in the dark SnV(2-) state and devise a method for charge state stabilization by illumination with a second light field. The charge-stabilized SnV(-) centre exhibits exceptional spectral stability with very small spectral diffusion (4 MHz on a homogenous linewidth of 25 MHz over 1 hour) and promising spin dephasing time (5 µs, measured via coherent population trapping). We discuss prospects of coherent spin manipulation and generation of indistinguishable single photons.

Speakers

Professor Christoph Becher, Saarland University, Germany

Professor Christoph Becher, Saarland University, Germany

Christoph Becher is a full professor of physics at Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany, leading the quantum optics research group. He received his PhD in physics from University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1998 working on generation of non-classical light from semiconductor lasers. Christoph Becher held two postdoctoral positions: at University of California, Santa Barbara (1999-2000) with the first demonstration of single photon emission from self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots and cavity-QED experiments; at University of Innsbruck, Austria (2001-2005), he was part of the team demonstrating the first quantum gate with trapped ions, generation of multi-ion entangled states, implementation of simple quantum algorithms and cavity QED with trapped ions. His research interests are in the field of quantum technologies for quantum communication & sensing, in particular exploration of colour centres in diamond as quantum bits, single photon sources and for quantum sensing applications; diamond-based micro-resonators and single photon nonlinear optics, e.g. quantum frequency conversion for quantum networks.

09:30-09:45
09:45-10:15

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Adam Gali, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary

Professor Adam Gali, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary

Adam Gali is a chief scientific advisor in Wigner Research Centre, the leader of “Lendület” Semiconductor Research Group, founder of Wigner Advanced Materials Integrated Laboratory (ADMIL) and Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance Laboratory for Quantum Technology, an associate professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Doctor of Science of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He studies the magneto-optical properties of point defects in semiconductors and semiconductor nanostructures by means of ab initio methods and experimental techniques, to develop efficient biomarkers, solar cells and solid state defect quantum bits. He recently has developed and implemented methods to fully characterize nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond from first principles methods that can be applied to other solid state defect quantum bits such as divacancy in silicon carbide and other defects in three- and two-dimensional solids.

10:15-10:30
Discussion
10:30-11:00
Coffee break
11:00-11:30

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Mete Atatüre, University of Cambridge, UK

Professor Mete Atatüre, University of Cambridge, UK

Biography will available soon

11:30-11:45
Discussion
11:45-12:15

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Tim Hugo Taminiau, QuTech, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Tim Hugo Taminiau, QuTech, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Tim Taminiau is a PI at QuTech at the Delft University of Technology. His group (established in 2015) uses solid-state defect spins to investigate the fundamentals of quantum information and the physics of coupled spin systems. He graduated from the University of Twente in 2005 and obtained a PhD at the Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO) in Barcelona. Before returning to the Netherlands as a Marie Curie fellow in 2011, Tim investigated optically active defects at the California Institute of Technology and Brown University. In 2015, he was awarded the Fresnel prize for fundamental contributions to quantum optics and electronics.

12:15-12:30
Discussion
12:30-13:35
Lunch break
13:35-18:00
Session 2
5 talks

Chair

Professor Jason Smith, University of Oxford, UK

Professor Jason Smith, University of Oxford, UK

Biography will available soon

13:35-14:05

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Jan Meijer, University of Leipzig, Germany

Professor Jan Meijer, University of Leipzig, Germany

Biography will available soon

14:05-14:20
Discussion
14:20-14:50
Exploring and exploiting diamond surface band bending

Abstract

The real world applications of diamond quantum sensors require optically active defects to be increasingly located within nanometres of the diamond surface, where their quantum properties such as coherence time, charge state stability and spectral width can suffer significant degradation. I will detail our efforts to explore the origins of these surface noise and band-bending effects, through a novel combination of surface spectroscopy and defect-based electromagnetic measurements. I will then present our efforts to engineer and exploit these phenomena to enhance the sensitivity of near-surface NV systems for biological systems.

Speakers

Dr Alastair Stacey, RMIT University, Australia

Dr Alastair Stacey, RMIT University, Australia

Alastair is a Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University and an industry consultant. He has experience in the diamond synthesis industry, and has researched the use of diamond in a variety of fields, from bionics to mechanical applications. Alastair has spent most of his academic career investigating diamond materials science for quantum technologies. He has a particular interest in the application of surface science techniques for diagnosing and improving coherence properties near the diamond surface. His most recent foci are atom scale fabrication procedures for quantum computing co-processors and bulk doping control for quantum sensors. Alastair is currently helping to setup a diamond synthesis programme at the US Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and will divide his time between this facility and his home institution in Australia.

14:50-15:05
Discussion
15:05-15:30
Tea break
15:30-16:00
Laser writing and ion implantation of colour centres for quantum technologies

Abstract

The Nitrogen Vacancy centre in its negatively charged state (NV) became the most established quantum emitter for the development of proof-of-concept quantum devices, in particular in the field of quantum sensing. The performance of NV-based quantum sensors strictly depends on the concentration of colour centres in the sensing ensemble, making it fundamental the possibility to control such concentration. An emerging technique for the formation of NV ensembles on demand is femtosecond laser writing, in which static exposures allow the formation of vacancies and a consequent annealing permits the formation of NVs thanks to the nitrogen pre-existing in diamond. In this work, we will discuss how laser writing can be used to achieve high concentration of NVs in diamond, aligned to laser written photonics for enhanced interaction. In addition, we will introduce a hybrid method of shallow ion implantation of quantum emitters into laser written photonics for novel quantum sensing devices.

Speakers

Dr Shane Eaton, IFN Milano, Italy

Dr Shane Eaton, IFN Milano, Italy

Shane Eaton received a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia in 2002, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2008. He is currently a permanent researcher with the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies in Milan, Italy, where he applies femtosecond laser fabrication to form microdevices in glasses and crystals. He has an h-index of 27 and more than 70 journal papers, with his first paper exploring the role of repetition on femtosecond laser microfabrication in glasses having been cited over 700 times.

16:00-16:15
Discussion
16:15-16:45
Identification and deterministic creation of next-generation quantum bits in synthetic diamond

Abstract

The development of a truly scalable quantum information processing (QIP) platform, so far, has been impeded by a lack of qubits with long coherence times and high-quality optical interfaces. Crystal defects in diamond, specifically the nitrogen vacancy (NV) and group-IV vacancy (SiV, GeV, SnV) centers have emerged as leading qubit candidates but face several challenges such as poor optical quality and susceptibility to spectral diffusion (NV), a requirement for dilution refrigeration to reach sufficiently long spin decoherence (SiV), low controllability (GeV, SnV), or a lack of deterministic creation (SiV, SnV, GeV).

Nevertheless, past detailed studies of these systems now enable a more targeted search for new defects in diamond with optimized properties for QIP applications. We here report on one of these candidates, the nickel vacancy (NiV) defect in diamond, and present first fluorescence spectroscopic measurements, demonstrating the NiV’s favorable optical properties. Through magneto-optical studies and group-theoretical modelling we confirm the center’s electronic properties and show first results hinting towards favorable spin properties. Finally, we will discuss the possibility of deterministic fabrication of NiVs via multiphoton laser writing in combination with growth of bespoke CVD material to further enable a future scalable QIP platform based on NiV defects in diamond.

Speakers

Professor Dr Jonas N. Becker, Michigan State University, USA and Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest, USA

Professor Dr Jonas N. Becker, Michigan State University, USA and Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest, USA

Jonas Becker is the Jerry Cowen Chair of Experimental Physics at Michigan State University where he leads the Solid-State Quantum Optics Group (S2QO) in the recently founded interdisciplinary Quantum Optical Devices (QuOD) laboratory. He is also affiliated with the Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest. His research focuses on experimental quantum information science using optically-active systems in solid-state host materials such as defects in synthetic diamond and rare earth-doped crystals.
Before joining Michigan State University, he was a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Ultrafast Quantum Optics & Metrology group at the University of Oxford (2017-2020) and a Research Associate in Quantum Information at Imperial College London (2020-2021). 
Becker received an M.Sc. in Chemistry in 2013 and a Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in Physics in 2017, both from Saarland University, Germany. His graduate research focused on spectroscopic investigations and quantum control of silicon vacancy defects in diamond.

16:45-17:00
Discussion
17:00-18:00
Poster session
09:00-13:35
Session 3
4 talks

Chair

Professor Oliver Williams, University of Cardiff, UK

Professor Oliver Williams, University of Cardiff, UK

Oliver Williams received his B.Eng in 1998 and PhD in 2003, both from University College London. He then worked as a Center for Nanoscale Materials Distinguished Postdoc in the Nanocarbon theme at Argonne National Laboratory between 2003/4. Following this he moved to IMO/IMEC in Hasselt University Belgium where he worked as a Research Scientist for four years. He then accepted an “Attract” award at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Research in Freiburg, Germany where he was team leader of Diamond Technology for three years. He is now a Professor in Experimental Physics and Director of Research at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy. His research group, Cardiff Diamond Foundry, focuses on diamond growth and technology towards SAW, MEMS, Thermal Management, nanoparticles, superconductivity and quantum technologies.

09:00-09:30
Improved NV diamond for laser threshold magnetometry

Abstract

How can magnetic field sensing with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres become more sensitive? By using NV diamond as a laser medium theoretical shot-noise-limited sensitivities could be improved by several orders of magnitude. However, this requires exceptional NV diamond material: a high density of NV- centres, a high NV- / NV0 ratio, good conversion efficiencies from substitutional nitrogen to NV centres, long coherence times as well as low optical absorption and low birefringence. 
In this talk we show multiple material studies including CVD growth, irradiation and new characterisation methods to improve NV diamond. We also show our recent progress in stimulated emission read-out of NV centres, including milliWatt-Signals, the first magnetic-field-dependent laser signal, a new NV ensemble contrast record and a one-order-of-magnitude advantage over fluorescence readout. This experimental demonstration of laser threshold magnetometry indicates the great potential of NV laser systems for improving quantum sensing

Speakers

Dr Jan Jeske, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, Germany

Dr Jan Jeske, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, Germany

Jan leads the group “quantum sensing” at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF). Previously he worked as a 4-year postdoc with Prof. Andrew Greentree at RMIT University in Melbourne during which he developed the concept of laser threshold magnetometry and demonstrated direct measurements of stimulated emission from NV centres for the first time. His PhD with Prof. Jared Cole was on theoretical topics regarding decoherence in quantum systems. Jan studied physics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and received the German “Diplom” in 2011. Jan leads the group “quantum sensing” at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics (IAF). Previously he worked as a 4-year postdoc with Prof. Andrew Greentree at RMIT University in Melbourne during which he developed the concept of laser threshold magnetometry and demonstrated direct measurements of stimulated emission from NV centres for the first time. His PhD with Prof. Jared Cole was on theoretical topics regarding decoherence in quantum systems. Jan studied physics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and received the German “Diplom” in 2011.

09:30-09:45
Discussion
09:45-10:15

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Anke Krueger, University of Stuttgart, Germany

Professor Anke Krueger, University of Stuttgart, Germany

Biography will available soon

10:15-10:30
Discussion
10:30-11:00
Coffee break
11:00-11:30
Diamond crystal growth for quantum sensing applications

Abstract

Formation and control of electron spin of negatively charged nitrogen vacancy centre (NV−) in diamond is attracting much attention for next-generation quantum devices. For sensing applications, a relatively large amount of NV− centre is required to increase sensitivity. Typically, [NV−] of 0.1−3ppm is desired to detect weak magnetic fields. The coherence time of the electron spin T2 and T2* is another important factor for increasing sensitivity, and this value has been reported to be inversely proportional to the density of nitrogen concentration. 
Considering these facts, we have optimized diamond growth condition for both chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) methods. In order to prolong T2 values, we applied 12C isotopic enrichment and improved a crystalline quality of diamond. For obtaining higher [NV−], first we improved controllability of nitrogen concentration in the doping range of 0.1−50ppm. Then, NV− centre is created in diamond crystals through electron beam irradiation and subsequent vacuum annealing. It is also important to elucidate the creation of point defects other than the NV− centre during NV− centre formation processes and to understand their effect on T2, that is, on magnetic sensitivity. We performed electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence measurements from this point of view. In this presentation, I will talk about recent activity on diamond growth in NIMS for quantum sensing applications.

Speakers

Dr Tokuyuki Teraji, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Dr Tokuyuki Teraji, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Tokuyuki Teraji is a chief researcher of Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). He received the Dr. Eng. (in Material Science) degrees from University of Tsukuba in 1998. From 1997 to 2000 he was a postdoctoral researcher in National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (NIRIM). Then, he joined Osaka University as an assistant professor from 2000 until 2005. Since 2005 he has been working in NIMS. His research field covers thin-film growth, characterization and device fabrication of semiconducting diamond. He is currently conducting basic research on the quantum properties of color centers in diamonds.

11:30-11:45
Discussion
11:45-12:15
Current status and prospects of solid-state quantum sensors for quantum-LEAP

Abstract

Solid-state quantum sensors using diamond and SiC are expected to have various applications due to their principle possibilities such as wide field dynamic range, operating temperature range, and high special resolution down to the atomic level. In the MEXT Q-LEAP Quantum Solid-state Flagship Project, five companies, five academia, and two national research institutes have teamed up to develop a solid-state quantum sensor from basic technologies such as materials and quantum protocols to sensor modules and application prototypes. 
In this talk, I would like to introduce the latest research topics of Q-LEAP, such as high precision simultaneous measurement of current and temperature in EV batteries, high resolution magnetocardiographic imaging of rats, probing into living cells by tip-type NV sensor. In addition, expectations for a future "quantum leap" society based on quantum solid-state sensor technology will be discussed.
This work was supported by MEXT Quantum Leap Flagship Program (MEXT Q-LEAP) Grant Number JPMXS0118067395.

Speakers

Professor Mutsuko Hatano, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Professor Mutsuko Hatano, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Mutsuko Hatano received the Dr. Eng. degree from Keio University, Japan. She joined Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd., She was a Visiting Researcher with the University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA, from 1998 to 2000. In 2010, she joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and , a senior aide to the president ,Tokyo Institute of Technology as a Professor and. From 20122, she is an executive member of council for Science Technology and innovation cabinet office Japan. 

12:15-12:30
Discussion
12:30-13:35
Lunch break
13:35-17:00
Session 4
4 talks

Chair

Dr Danielle Braje, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Dr Danielle Braje, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Biography will available soon

13:35-14:05
Diamond spin qubits: Quantum computing and quantum simulations

Abstract

Synthetic diamond has recently emerged as a candidate material for a range of quantum-based applications including: secure quantum communication, quantum information processing and quantum sensing. In such applications, the synthetic diamond acts as a host for impurities or defects, acting like a solid-state atom trap. The quantum states of these impurities, such as the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) and Silicon-Vacancy (SiV) defects, can be individually manipulated.  In this presentation we will show how single colour centres can be created with a few nanometres accuracy and coherent dipole-dipole coupling was employed to generate their entanglement. We will discuss further development of the field of   quantum simulation with coupled nuclear spin qubits in isotopically engineered diamond.

Speakers

Professor Fedor Jelezko, Ulm University, Germany

Professor Fedor Jelezko, Ulm University, Germany

Fedor Jelezko is a director of the Institute of Quantum Optics and director of the Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) at Ulm University. He studied in Minsk (Belarus) and received his Ph.D. in 1998. After finishing the habilitation in 2010 at Stuttgart University he was appointed as a professor of experimental physics in Ulm in 2011.  His research interests are at the intersection of fundamental quantum physics and application of quantum technologies for information processing, communication, sensing, and imaging.

14:05-14:20
Discussion
14:20-14:50

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Paola Cappellaro, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Professor Paola Cappellaro, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Biography will available soon.

14:50-15:05
Discussion
15:05-15:30
Tea break
15:30-16:00

Abstract

Abstract will be available soon

Speakers

Professor Milos Nesladek, Hasselt University, Belgium

Professor Milos Nesladek, Hasselt University, Belgium

Biography will available soon.

16:00-16:15
Discussion
16:15-16:45
Panel discussion

Speakers

Dr Gavin Morley, University of Warwick, UK

Dr Gavin Morley, University of Warwick, UK

Gavin Morley leads a research group in the Warwick University Physics Department. He did an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics at Oxford University. He has held fellowships from the 1851 Royal Commission and the Royal Society, as well as being supported by two of the UK Quantum Technology Hubs. His research group builds quantum experiments and technologies based on nitrogen vacancy colour centres in diamond. This includes magnetometry, quantum computing chips and an experiment with a levitated nanodiamond which aims to put the nanodiamond into a spatial quantum superposition. In time this may permit a test of the quantum nature of gravity.

Professor Ken Haenen, Hasselt University, Belgium and IMEC, Belgium

Professor Ken Haenen, Hasselt University, Belgium and IMEC, Belgium

Ken Haenen, Full Professor of Experimental Physics, is Vice-Rector Research & Internationalisation at Hasselt University, Belgium, and guest professor at IMEC, Belgium. Ken is Editor-in-Chief of Diamond and Related Materials, Section Editor of MethodsX (Materials Science), and Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports and Physica Status Solidi. He is involved in the organisation of several leading international diamond and nanocarbon conferences, including the International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials (Chair), Hasselt Diamond Workshop (Co-Chair), and New Diamond and Nano Carbons (Executive Committee). He has organised MRS symposia on carbon functional interfaces at the 2011 and 2013 MRS Spring Meetings, served as a co-chair of the 2015 MRS Spring Meeting, and is currently the Chair of the MRS Program Development Subcommittee, and a member of the Early Career Professional Engagement Subcommittee. Since 1997, Ken’s research interests focus on CVD diamond, including its deposition, optoelectronic characterisation, surface functionalisation, and diamond-based devices, as part of a broader scope on carbon materials for energy harvesting and conversion. To date, he has authored over 240 peer-reviewed publications.

Professor Shannon Nicley, Michigan State University, USA

Professor Shannon Nicley, Michigan State University, USA

Shannon Nicley is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), where she researches the growth of doped diamond and other crystalline materials for quantum applications and the discovery and characterization of solid-state qubit candidates. She completed her PhD at MSU in 2015 on the growth of boron doped diamond for high power diode applications and then continued her work in diamond growth as a postdoc at Hasselt University in the group led by Ken Haenen, where she focused on phosphorus doping. In 2018 she became a Royal Society Newton International Fellow at the University of Oxford, where she broadened her experience into quantum optics in the group led by Jason Smith. She is now the PI of the Diamond and Quantum Materials Group (DQM) in the newly founded Quantum Optical Devices (QuOD) lab at MSU, where she is also affiliated with the Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest.