Unlocking the secrets of the Universe with quantum technologies

Novel materials and quantum technologies are unlocking new opportunities to test laws of nature at the most fundamental level. These techniques offer insights into dark energy, neutrinos, dark matter and gravitational waves. These devices also underpin analogue systems, allow precision tests of Einstein’s theory of gravity, and probe the basic symmetries of our Universe.

Quantum technologies are giving us powerful new ways to investigate some of the deepest questions in fundamental physics. By combining expertise across disciplines, we can develop experiments that push the boundaries of what we are able to observe and understand about the Universe.

Jamie McDonald / STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow

Our research vision

The newly established quantum technologies for fundamental physics group brings together theorists and experimentalists from across a range of disciplines with the goal of designing and building new kinds of experiments to probe physics beyond the Standard Model.

Our expertise spans radio engineering, low-temperature physics, levitated sensors, nuclear physics, dark matter, axions, dark energy, neutrinos, extended theories of gravity, high-frequency gravitational waves, quantum fluids and analogue systems. Our initiative comprises scientists from the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, the Photon Science Institute, the Particle and Nuclear Physics Groups, and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Key areas of research

Several research groups at The University of Manchester work across key areas of this theme, including:

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    Axion dark matter detection

    We are developing an axion haloscope to search for dark matter. This detector will benefit from a range of quantum technologies designed to boost its sensitivity and our team is also working closely with Daresbury National Laboratory to develop superconducting cavity designs. 

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    Optomechanical sensors

    The group is currently exploring optomechanical sensors for detection of dark matter and high-frequency gravitational waves. 

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    5th force tests and dark sectors

    We have expertise in laboratory tests for dark energy and modified theories of gravity. We are also signatories to the memorandum of understanding for Terrestrial Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometry (TVLBAI) and are actively involved in AION (Atom Interferometer Observatory Network).

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    Cold atoms and molecules as probes of CP violation

    Research is underway to explore fundamental symmetry violation as part of an ERC Advanced Grant: Actinide molecules for exploring the frontiers of fundamental physics.

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    Analogue systems

    We are actively exploring the nature of general relativity and black hole systems using fluid simulations of cosmological spacetimes and superradiance in Kerr black holes.

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    Neutrinos

    Work is underway to develop quantum sensors and exploit cold atoms to directly measure neutrino masses. This includes involvement in Project 8 for neutrino mass measurement and Quantum Technologies for Neutrino Mass (QTNM).

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    Quantum simulations of open systems

    Testing predictions of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with the use of quantum gate simulations.

Researchers involved