Diamond and Quantum Materials

The research in our group, the Diamond and Quantum Materials (DQM) is focused on the growth of diamond and other materials for to enable useful solid-state quantum technologies like quantum computing and simulation, provably secure communication and quantum metrology. One aspect of that focus involves fabricating semiconductor device structures in diamond, such as p-i-n diode structures, that can be used as a host for defects that can act as quantum bits (qubits) with the ability to tune the defect charge states using the diodes. An important part of that work is the growth and characterization of the doped diamond that forms the p and n regions of the structures. This project will involve characterizing films of doped single crystal diamond for their electrical properties. During the 10 week program, the student will work with graduate student mentors to measure a series of samples, analyze the data and compare the data to prior work, and present the results at an MSU-wide undergraduate research conference. Our group works together closely with the Solid State Quantum Optics (S²QO) group, and together we form the Quantum Optical Devices (QuOD) lab. The group meets weekly on Friday afternoons, where the student will present their work and get regular feedback, as well as learn about the other research happening in the QuOD lab.

Scientific goals:   

• Analyzing doped diamond for its electrical properties including the conductivity and carrier mobility 
• Our ultimate goal is to fabricate p-i-n diode structures using optimized growth recipes for tuning the charge state of defect qubits in diamond

Student learning goals: 

• Basic principles of electrical characterization including four point probe measurements and Hall effect measurements
• An introduction to quantum applications including understanding desirable characteristics for qubit candidates
• Familiarity with diamond as a semiconductor and quantum material, and growth of diamond by chemical vapor deposition