Research laboratories

Eggletonlab

Five laboratories form part of the Eggletonlab which conducts research in optical physics, optoelectronics and nanophotonics. The group leader Ben Eggleton’s research builds on his group’s achievements demonstrating that an integrated photonic-based signal processing platform - a photonic chip - can switch data at speeds beyond terabits a second.

Professor Eggleton, who was previously an ARC Laureate Fellow, is the Director of Sydney Nano. He was founding Director of the Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS) at the University of Sydney and was Director of the ARC Centre for Ultrahigh-Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), which finished in 2017.

Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory

The Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory at the University of Sydney offers extensive measurement capability combining ultra-low temperatures (dilution fridges with based temperatures below 10 millikelvin) with a suite of radio and microwave frequency electronics and test equipment. Our research is exploring many of the engineering challenges for reading out and controlling qubits in scaled-up architectures.

In addition, the research group are developing specialised instrumentation and tools needed to undertake the next generation of quantum experiments, such as high-speed cryogenic electronics. The facilities at Sydney include purpose-built laboratories and cleanrooms for nanofabrication and quantum science. These facilities enable a range of nanoscale quantum systems to be investigated at low temperature, high magnetic field and on short timescales - where exotic quantum phenomena become apparent. 

Group leader Professor David Reilly holds a joint position with Microsoft Corporation and the University of Sydney, where he is the Principal Researcher and Director of Microsoft Station Q, Sydney, a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence, Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS), and a Professor in the School of Physics.

Quantum Control Laboratory

The Quantum Control Laboratory Research Group is focused on the development of quantum control and metrology techniques. The research uses small collections of trapped atomic ions as model quantum coherent systems. Experimental tools used include laser-cooled beryllium ions in a Penning trap, ytterbium ions in a Paul trap, ultra-high-phase-stability microwave oscillators, specialty UV lasers and a toolkit of novel control protocols. The Quantum Control Laboratory is part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems.

The head of the Quantum Control Laboratory Research Group and Director of the laboratory, Professor Michael Biercuk, is an experimental physicist working to engineer a new generation of advanced quantum technologies. Professor Biercuk is the founder and CEO of Q-Ctrl, a quantum technology start-up based at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub.

Integrated Microwave Photonic Laboratory (IMPL)

IMPL’s research into nanophotonics and integrated microwave photonics promises to lead to breakthroughs that will meet our ever-increasing demand for information and communication systems that can process high-frequency and wideband signals at lightning speed. Microwave photonics is a multidisciplinary field that brings together the worlds of microwave engineering and optoelectronics, for applications in areas such as communications, radars, sensors and instrumentation.

The research group has significant collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), the Department of Defence and industry, with its achievements benefiting industry and society in the areas of information processing, defence, security and health.

Professor Xiaoke Yi from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering is the academic in charge of the IMPL.Their experts include Professor Robert Minasian, Adjunct Associate Professor Linh Nguyen, and Dr Liwei Li, also from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering.

Thin-film optoelectronics and photovoltaics (TOP) materials and devices lab 

Three laboratories form part of the thin-film optoelectronics and photovoltaics (TOP) materials and devices lab, supporting Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P), Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project, ARC Linkage Project and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Projects.

Led by Prof. Anita Ho-Baillie, John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience, the research group strives to develop and demonstrate a wide range of world transforming energy efficient and clean energy generating devices and systems.

Examples include the development of nano-functional-materials for thin film solar devices; nano coatings and nano bonding for multi-functional thermal insulating energy generating glazing; and nano-materials for efficient photovoltaic-electrochemical water splitting for clean hydrogen. The aim is to improve their conversion efficiencies thereby improving the cost effectiveness of these energy systems. 

Quantum Integration Laboratory 

The Quantum Integration Laboratory aims to develop quantum networking solutions to enable more powerful quantum technologies through the long-distance distribution of entanglement.

When completed, the laboratory will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology for precision optical and microwave measurement of quantum systems held at low temperature, such as rare-earth atoms embedded in transparent solids. These facilities will include a dilution refrigerator capable of reaching temperatures below 10 mK, and infrared lasers with ultra-high frequency stability.