This summer has seen a total of seven summer students in Quantum Detection. Their projects ranged from developing software for the analysis of laser beams to quantum hall measurements on graphene. Two summer students agreed to share their experiences for the Knowledge Report.

Alex Proutski from Royal Holloway conducted a project on the development of cryogenic equipment for the single electron experiment and on some data analysis techniques for the metrological triangle project. He mentioned that his experiences have been ‘challenging and varied’ and that he learned a lot from interacting with NPL staff. Alex also mentioned that whilst he has developed specific technical skills, he has also acquired knowledge about more general aspects of physics, particularly about sources and characterisation of noise.

Andrew Wilson, from the University of Cambridge spent his summer writing software for the remote control of a dilution refrigerator, and also calibrating RF equipment which is destined for the single electron experiment. He mentioned he found the experience very worthwhile and that the software he developed would have been very useful in his previous work before coming to NPL. The photo shows Andrew and Alex with the equipment they have been working with over the summer.