We are developing methodologies that enable the use of nanostructures and nanoelectronic devices for a range of fundamental physics and applications research. This includes the development of devices that enable all-electronic biosensing, at the cellular, viral, and molecular levels. We are also implementing unique combinations of superconducting devices to pursue nanoscale thermodynamic and bolometric applications, as well as quantum-limited measurements on nanomechanical devices. These efforts rely on our expertise at nanoscale fabrication and patterning, the use of superconducting devices for quantum-limited measurement, and the implementation of radiofrequency techniques that enable very wide bandwidth, ultrasensitive measurements.

Our biosensing efforts focus on the use of radiofrequency reflectometry, where sensitive impedance matching allows the detection of very small impedance changes in a range of saline solutions. We have fabricated sensors that can count cells or other micron-scale particles at bandwidths in excess of a million per second, and can achieve near single-molecule levels of target analytes. We have implemented remote sensing using biofunctionalized "rover" structures that include unique electronic labels, for high speed electronic readout and purification.

We are engaged in two primary efforts that will enable the creation and manipulation of single quantum excitations, in both superconducting resonators (manipulation of single microwave photons) and in nanomechanical resonators (single phonon manupulation). These efforts are enabled by the implementation of Josephson superconducting phase qubits, whereby full qubit state vector control and state tomography enable completely coherent manipulation of quantized excitations.

We are also pursuing the development of nanoscale thermometry and bolometry, where the implementation of single electron transistors as thermometric sensors with minimal back-action enable readout of nanoscale normal metal volumes. Coupling such volumes through an impedance-matching, superconducting slotline antenna enables capture of single mm-wave photons, and we are attempting to resolve the energy changes induced by Joule heating of single photons in a nanoscale metal volume.

facilities: dilution refrigerator (8-10 T magnet) 3He cryostat (8-10 T magnet) 4He cryostats (two) (8-10 T magnet) rf probe station (4 K-300 K, 0-20 GHz) rf sources (various, 0-20 GHz) di nanoscope III multimode afm rf network analyzer (0-3 GHz and 0-20 GHz) rf spectrum analyzer (0-26 GHz) olympus ix-71 inverted fluorescent microscopy jeol 840:npgs fei sirion:npgs thermal evaporator heidelberg direct write pattern generator 3He/14 T PPMS system ucsb nanofab facility

presentations

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[PDF] APS March Meeting. Austin, Texas 2003.

[PDF] NSF Workshop on Nanosensors. Melbourne, Australia 2002.