physicsworld--2020-07-02--Specialist manufacturing: gearing up for growth in the research marketplace - Physics World

Frazer-Nash Manufacturing is a company that ’ s always been intent on playing to its strengths .
In this way , the specialist UK-based workshop has carved out a niche by providing design , precision engineering and low-volume manufacturing services to a range of international customers – most notably in the food processing and space industries .
Now , diversification is on the agenda and Frazer-Nash is eyeing long-term growth opportunities as a supplier of custom engineering and manufacturing services to the scientific research community – whether that ’ s “ big science ” facilities , academic research groups or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frazer-Nash is putting itself out there , supporting researchers in the physical sciences with custom parts requirements that can not be sourced off-the-shelf or from a standard product range .
The Hampshire-based outfit offers a broad portfolio of precision manufacturing capabilities – traditional milling , turning , grinding as well as wire electrical-discharge machining ( EDM ) , surface treatments and 3D printing of custom metal parts – and , as such , is able to deliver one-off projects , prototype development and small-volume production runs .
“ We specialize in low-volume manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains Paul Mortlock , managing director of Frazer-Nash .
Whether it ’ s a complex metal part or something more straightforward , the formula remains the same : a rigorous approach to materials traceability ( from raw material to finished part ) , work-in-progress product inspection , and delivery versus customer specifications and tolerances .
“ We handle everything in-house , ” Mortlock adds , “ and that gives us 100 % control over our production process and the quality of our final output.
” Underpinning that operational model , the company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rev D quality-assurance standards as well as the ISO14001 standard for environmental management .
Beyond the day-to-day operation , the strategic priorities are clear .
Frazer-Nash ’ s manufacturing capabilities are characterized by a relentless focus on continuous improvement that spans materials quality , digital inventory management and ongoing investment in new machines , control software and staff training .
“ The whole ethos here is based on long-term capital investment and year-on-year improvement across our processes , our people and our workflows , ” says Mortlock .
That mindset is mandatory given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A case in point is the food processing industry , for which Frazer-Nash produces a range of proprietary equipment – extruder heads , cutting systems , filling systems and the like .
“ Our food-industry solutions conform to the latest international food-safety specifications with open-access structures , sloping surfaces and crevice-free design , ” explains Mortlock .
“ We also ensure that the correct grades of stainless steel or other approved materials are used for our EU and US customers.
” Yet while the food industry will remain a core revenue stream , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their business-development efforts towards the scientific research market and the space industry .
There ’ s plenty of momentum already , with Frazer-Nash routinely providing specialist metal parts to satellite manufacturers and rocket-engine developers – the likes of Skyrora and Reaction Engines in the UK , for example – while also making significant inroads with research customers across the physical sciences .
The latter include big-science facilities like CERN , the particle physics laboratory in Geneva , and ITER , the next-generation fusion research facility in southern France , as well as smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the University of Surrey in the UK .
“ They all need a reliable , trusted partner to make their system parts , ” explains Mortlock .
“ We ’ re providing vacuum chambers , waveguide ports , beam targets and pressure vessels – typically metal parts and systems with demanding requirements for cleanliness , dimensional tolerances and high- or ultrahigh-vacuum capabilities.
” While every project is unique , Frazer-Nash ’ s research customers invariably kick off with a variation on the same theme : “ This is what we want – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” From that staring point , the requirements-gathering evolves into a granular dialogue between supplier and customer , covering off key metrics like manufacturability , cost , performance , reliability , even materials .
To a large extent , it ’ s then about prioritizing tolerances against those metrics – which ones matter the most .
The same goes for materials specifications , with the choice of US or EU-grade steels , for example , often making a big difference to product lead-times .
“ Generally we ’ ll offer advice on manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t tend to be involved with design of the customer ’ s parts .
They are the design authority.
” Even so , all customers get to tap a deep seam of accumulated and learned experience – a result of Frazer-Nash successfully tackling all sorts of complex manufacturing challenges across the food and aerospace industries over the years .
This “ assimilated savvy “ could be as fundamental as the metallurgy – whether a generic stock material or a proprietary grade of stainless steel will deliver the required performance – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finishing and surface treatment needed if a part is destined for an abrasive environment .
“ In a lot of cases , ” says Mortlock , “ customers are coming to us with a v1.0 prototype and they want an enhanced version that ’ s built to last .
Our task is to make that part more reliable , more robust and more readily manufacturable.
” The answers , inevitably , lie in the technical capability and domain-knowledge of the Frazer-Nash engineering team .
With this in mind , the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just cover plant and machinery , it prioritizes training , development , staff progression and , crucially , retention .
The Frazer-Nash wellness programme is a case in point , with even a consultant dietician on hand to advise staff on all aspects of their nutrition , sleep and exercise .
“ This is a high-performing team of engineers , technicians and support staff and we take a holistic approach to their personal development and welfare , ” Mortlock concludes .
“ After all , they ’ re why we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we deliver .
”

Frazer-Nash Manufacturing is a trusted partner for industry and scientific customers seeking precision engineering services and low-volume production of specialist parts
Precision engineering: Frazer-Nash Manufacturing is able to support one-off projects, prototype development and small-volume production runs. (Courtesy: Frazer-Nash Manufacturing)
Frazer-Nash Manufacturing is a company that’s always been intent on playing to its strengths. In this way, the specialist UK-based workshop has carved out a niche by providing design, precision engineering and low-volume manufacturing services to a range of international customers – most notably in the food processing and space industries. Now, diversification is on the agenda and Frazer-Nash is eyeing long-term growth opportunities as a supplier of custom engineering and manufacturing services to the scientific research community – whether that’s “big science” facilities, academic research groups or technology start-up ventures.
Put simply, Frazer-Nash is putting itself out there, supporting researchers in the physical sciences with custom parts requirements that cannot be sourced off-the-shelf or from a standard product range. The Hampshire-based outfit offers a broad portfolio of precision manufacturing capabilities – traditional milling, turning, grinding as well as wire electrical-discharge machining (EDM), surface treatments and 3D printing of custom metal parts – and, as such, is able to deliver one-off projects, prototype development and small-volume production runs.
Paul Mortlock: “The whole ethos here is based on long-term investment and year-on-year improvement.”
“We specialize in low-volume manufacturing for customers with high-quality expectations,” explains Paul Mortlock, managing director of Frazer-Nash. Whether it’s a complex metal part or something more straightforward, the formula remains the same: a rigorous approach to materials traceability (from raw material to finished part), work-in-progress product inspection, and delivery versus customer specifications and tolerances.
“We handle everything in-house,” Mortlock adds, “and that gives us 100% control over our production process and the quality of our final output.” Underpinning that operational model, the company is fully certified to the ISO9001:2015 and AS9100 Rev D quality-assurance standards as well as the ISO14001 standard for environmental management.
Pivoting for growth
Beyond the day-to-day operation, the strategic priorities are clear. Frazer-Nash’s manufacturing capabilities are characterized by a relentless focus on continuous improvement that spans materials quality, digital inventory management and ongoing investment in new machines, control software and staff training. “The whole ethos here is based on long-term capital investment and year-on-year improvement across our processes, our people and our workflows,” says Mortlock.
That mindset is mandatory given the exacting requirements of Frazer-Nash customers. A case in point is the food processing industry, for which Frazer-Nash produces a range of proprietary equipment – extruder heads, cutting systems, filling systems and the like. “Our food-industry solutions conform to the latest international food-safety specifications with open-access structures, sloping surfaces and crevice-free design,” explains Mortlock. “We also ensure that the correct grades of stainless steel or other approved materials are used for our EU and US customers.”
Yet while the food industry will remain a core revenue stream, Mortlock and his colleagues are increasingly pivoting their business-development efforts towards the scientific research market and the space industry. There’s plenty of momentum already, with Frazer-Nash routinely providing specialist metal parts to satellite manufacturers and rocket-engine developers – the likes of Skyrora and Reaction Engines in the UK, for example – while also making significant inroads with research customers across the physical sciences. The latter include big-science facilities like CERN, the particle physics laboratory in Geneva, and ITER, the next-generation fusion research facility in southern France, as well as smaller academic groups at the University of Southampton and the University of Surrey in the UK.
“They all need a reliable, trusted partner to make their system parts,” explains Mortlock. “We’re providing vacuum chambers, waveguide ports, beam targets and pressure vessels – typically metal parts and systems with demanding requirements for cleanliness, dimensional tolerances and high- or ultrahigh-vacuum capabilities.”
It’s all about dialogue
While every project is unique, Frazer-Nash’s research customers invariably kick off with a variation on the same theme: “This is what we want – can you help us make it?” From that staring point, the requirements-gathering evolves into a granular dialogue between supplier and customer, covering off key metrics like manufacturability, cost, performance, reliability, even materials.
To a large extent, it’s then about prioritizing tolerances against those metrics – which ones matter the most. The same goes for materials specifications, with the choice of US or EU-grade steels, for example, often making a big difference to product lead-times. “Generally we’ll offer advice on manufacturing,” notes Mortlock, “but we don’t tend to be involved with design of the customer’s parts. They are the design authority.”
Even so, all customers get to tap a deep seam of accumulated and learned experience – a result of Frazer-Nash successfully tackling all sorts of complex manufacturing challenges across the food and aerospace industries over the years. This “assimilated savvy“ could be as fundamental as the metallurgy – whether a generic stock material or a proprietary grade of stainless steel will deliver the required performance – or something more specific – such as the finishing and surface treatment needed if a part is destined for an abrasive environment.
“In a lot of cases,” says Mortlock, “customers are coming to us with a v1.0 prototype and they want an enhanced version that’s built to last. Our task is to make that part more reliable, more robust and more readily manufacturable.”
The answers, inevitably, lie in the technical capability and domain-knowledge of the Frazer-Nash engineering team. With this in mind, the company’s long-term investment programme doesn’t just cover plant and machinery, it prioritizes training, development, staff progression and, crucially, retention. The Frazer-Nash wellness programme is a case in point, with even a consultant dietician on hand to advise staff on all aspects of their nutrition, sleep and exercise.
“This is a high-performing team of engineers, technicians and support staff and we take a holistic approach to their personal development and welfare,” Mortlock concludes. “After all, they’re why we don’t just promise high-dependability in low-volume manufacturing – we deliver.”
Frazer-Nash Manufacturing: built to last While its commercial focus today is realigning towards customers in scientific research and the space industry, Frazer-Nash Manufacturing can trace a diverse legacy of engineering innovation that stretches back more than a century. Quality control: Frazer-Nash prioritizes 100% inspection on all manufactured items. (Courtesy: Frazer-Nash Manufacturing) In 1910, English mechanical engineer and designer Archibald Frazer-Nash jointly developed a lightweight automobile, the GN Cycle Car.
Some 12 years later, the British inventor set up the Frazer-Nash sports car company to develop a successor to the GN.
Various Frazer-Nash models were introduced over the following decades, creating a classic sports car marque that’s still admired around the world.
In 1929, Frazer-Nash turned his attention to other areas of engineering, setting up a separate company to service the needs of the emerging commercial and military aerospace industry.
Further diversification followed in the second half of the 20 th century, with Frazer-Nash businesses expanding into a wide range of sectors, including postal machines, special-purpose equipment and consultancy services.
century, with Frazer-Nash businesses expanding into a wide range of sectors, including postal machines, special-purpose equipment and consultancy services. In 1990, the wider Frazer-Nash group was rationalized into several smaller specialist companies, with Frazer-Nash Manufacturing comprising a significant portion of the manufacturing and design departments of the former group.
In 2011, Frazer-Nash Manufacturing moved to its current production facility in Petersfield, Hampshire.
The company’s workshop plant includes CNC milling machines (five-axis, four-axis and three-axis); CNC turning and mill turn machines; wire EDM systems; and an additive manufacturing system.


physicsworld--2020-07-02--The danger of scientific meetings going online only - Physics World

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of countless conferences and workshops across the globe since the start of the year .
Some , such as the American Physical Society ’ s March and April meetings , managed to move online and others are now planning likewise .
With the possibility that international face-to-face meetings could be at least a year away , online seems set to become the “ new normal ” .
Despite some initial technical hiccups , online tools such as Zoom have been shown to offer many advantages .
They ’ re cheap to use and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not travelling unnecessarily to distant international locations for meetings that usually last several days .
Online tools also let people with , say , child-care issues or visa restrictions take part in conferences that they may have otherwise have found difficult to attend .
At first sight , it looks like the pandemic – together with increasing concerns over climate change – could lead to a new and more efficient form of doing science .
But could a wholesale shift online turn out to be misguided ?
While there are many positives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers too .
A world based entirely on online interactions could hamper the progress of science and damage its relationship to society .
We need to be aware of these issues now before they potentially take hold .
If we don ’ t , then it may be difficult , or perhaps impossible , to unravel the long-term effects given that they could take a generation to emerge .
Before COVID-19 , face-to-face communication at physical conferences was the norm .
It is not only quick and efficient ( once you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ) but it also plays a fundamental role in the social aspects of science .
At such meetings , scientists often develop a common “ language ” that is not only learned by students but also developed and improved upon by researchers .
It is this process of “ socialization ” that teaches values central to science and the distinctions between acceptable and unacceptable criticisms .
And , of course , face-to-face meetings are where new topics , collaborations and communities emerge .
This is because when people meet , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit to fresh ideas or new approaches .
There is a kind of “ spinning flywheel ” here that is based on the trust and mutual understanding that has already built up .
This makes it possible to easily move online , at least in the short term , without much difficulty so that the early online experiences are likely to be good .
An obvious example was the confirmation of the discovery of gravitational waves , which was announced at a press conference in February 2016 .
All the previous five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done via teleconference and thousands of e-mails without any face-to-face international meetings .
But there is one crucial element : it was all based on decades of trust that had been built up in hundreds of face-to-face meetings beforehand .
The dangers , then , of a wholesale shift to online meetings will only arise as science develops and changes .
When that happens , old languages and relationships become irrelevant – older scientists leave the profession and new ones enter : the flywheel loses momentum .
This means that new generations need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of integrity , which defines the social institution of science and the foundations of the scientific discipline .
It starts with education , where at meetings the relationship of authority and truth in science is revealed because a PhD student can , and sometimes does , criticize a Nobel laureate .
That truth must be seen to trump authority is another crucial value of science .
In the current wholesale shift to online we expect to see success in the short term but increasing difficulties for the development of new science in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if online becomes the new norm , the challenges could extend far beyond science itself .
Such a move will erode the boundary between scientific expertise and online tools such as social media .
The aspects that make science special are all developed through face-to-face socialization and it doesn ’ t seem to happen naturally over the Internet .
Indeed , if the boundary between information and misinformation comes to be fought out over the Internet rather than the seminar or workshop , science will lose the battle , as it nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolt against the MMR vaccine , or , in some locales , the acceptance of climate change .
The rise of populism in Western countries and the attack on scientific expertise has put society in danger .
The way that science deals with decision-making in the face of uncertainty is a vital lesson for decision making by elected governments .
At the same time , scientific expertise acts as one of the checks and balances in pluralist democracies .
Respect for scientific expertise prevents a political leader from insisting on anything they like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Without science as an exemplar of how to make difficult decisions in an uncertain world – such as with the effect of COVID-19 – we will find ourselves living in a dystopia .
We have to get this right .
We need to travel less , and of course , take advantage of what online has to offer and seek to improve it .
But the new enthusiasm for virtual meetings must not turn the current short-term successes into a long-term disaster .
For areas that are well established there is perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online world , but for those that involve much disagreement and passion , face-to-face will be the only way to propel the science forward .

Physics World. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue Taken from the July 2020 issue of. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue via the Physics World app
Harry Collins, Bill Barnes and Riccardo Sapienza warn against a wholesale shift to virtual workshops and conferences following the COVID-19 pandemic
Social impact Fewer chances to build relationships face-to-face could pose a danger to future generations of scientists. (Courtesy: iStock/Cecilie_Arcurs)
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of countless conferences and workshops across the globe since the start of the year. Some, such as the American Physical Society’s March and April meetings, managed to move online and others are now planning likewise. With the possibility that international face-to-face meetings could be at least a year away, online seems set to become the “new normal”.
Despite some initial technical hiccups, online tools such as Zoom have been shown to offer many advantages. They’re cheap to use and we can reduce our carbon footprint by not travelling unnecessarily to distant international locations for meetings that usually last several days. Online tools also let people with, say, child-care issues or visa restrictions take part in conferences that they may have otherwise have found difficult to attend.
At first sight, it looks like the pandemic – together with increasing concerns over climate change – could lead to a new and more efficient form of doing science. But could a wholesale shift online turn out to be misguided? While there are many positives of such a move, there are many dangers too. A world based entirely on online interactions could hamper the progress of science and damage its relationship to society.
We need to be aware of these issues now before they potentially take hold. If we don’t, then it may be difficult, or perhaps impossible, to unravel the long-term effects given that they could take a generation to emerge.
Building trust
Before COVID-19, face-to-face communication at physical conferences was the norm. It is not only quick and efficient (once you’ve made your way to the location that is) but it also plays a fundamental role in the social aspects of science. At such meetings, scientists often develop a common “language” that is not only learned by students but also developed and improved upon by researchers.
It is this process of “socialization” that teaches values central to science and the distinctions between acceptable and unacceptable criticisms. And, of course, face-to-face meetings are where new topics, collaborations and communities emerge. This is because when people meet, they are – consciously or unconsciously – more likely to commit to fresh ideas or new approaches.
There is a kind of “spinning flywheel” here that is based on the trust and mutual understanding that has already built up. This makes it possible to easily move online, at least in the short term, without much difficulty so that the early online experiences are likely to be good.
An obvious example was the confirmation of the discovery of gravitational waves, which was announced at a press conference in February 2016. All the previous five months’ worth of work had been done via teleconference and thousands of e-mails without any face-to-face international meetings. But there is one crucial element: it was all based on decades of trust that had been built up in hundreds of face-to-face meetings beforehand.
The dangers, then, of a wholesale shift to online meetings will only arise as science develops and changes. When that happens, old languages and relationships become irrelevant – older scientists leave the profession and new ones enter: the flywheel loses momentum. This means that new generations need to be inducted into the fundamental norm of integrity, which defines the social institution of science and the foundations of the scientific discipline. It starts with education, where at meetings the relationship of authority and truth in science is revealed because a PhD student can, and sometimes does, criticize a Nobel laureate. That truth must be seen to trump authority is another crucial value of science.
In the current wholesale shift to online we expect to see success in the short term but increasing difficulties for the development of new science in the medium term. In the longer term, if online becomes the new norm, the challenges could extend far beyond science itself. Such a move will erode the boundary between scientific expertise and online tools such as social media.
The aspects that make science special are all developed through face-to-face socialization and it doesn’t seem to happen naturally over the Internet. Indeed, if the boundary between information and misinformation comes to be fought out over the Internet rather than the seminar or workshop, science will lose the battle, as it nearly has, for example, in the revolt against the MMR vaccine, or, in some locales, the acceptance of climate change.
The rise of populism in Western countries and the attack on scientific expertise has put society in danger. The way that science deals with decision-making in the face of uncertainty is a vital lesson for decision making by elected governments. At the same time, scientific expertise acts as one of the checks and balances in pluralist democracies. Respect for scientific expertise prevents a political leader from insisting on anything they like such as the truth about climate change. Without science as an exemplar of how to make difficult decisions in an uncertain world – such as with the effect of COVID-19 – we will find ourselves living in a dystopia. We have to get this right.
We need to travel less, and of course, take advantage of what online has to offer and seek to improve it. But the new enthusiasm for virtual meetings must not turn the current short-term successes into a long-term disaster. For areas that are well established there is perhaps less danger for a shift to an online world, but for those that involve much disagreement and passion, face-to-face will be the only way to propel the science forward.


physicsworld--2020-07-01--Webinars and white papers: Oxford Instruments presents seven webinars on nanoscience - Physics World

The content highlighted in this article has been created and hosted by Physics World ’ s corporate partners .
It is free to read but you will be asked to share your contact details with the relevant partner first before being granted access immediately afterwards .
This time we are featuring a series of seven webinars from Oxford Instruments .
The company ’ s headline “ guest presentation ” is from Sheng Ran from the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US , who won the 2020 Lee Osheroff Richardson science prize for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discovery and characterization of exotic quantum materials , Ran ’ s webinar is entitled “ Spin-triplet superconducting state in the nearly ferromagnetic compound UTe ” .
The superconducting state of UTe is like that in ferromagnetic superconductors , but the normal state is paramagnetic and shows no indication of magnetic ordering .
Along with a very big anisotropic upper critical field , temperature independent NMR Knight shift and a large residual normal electronic density of states , these facts strongly suggest its superconductivity is carried by spin-triplet pairs .
In “ Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Javad Shabani from New York University describes how near-surface quantum wells with strong spin-orbit coupling can be interfaced epitaxially with superconducting films and have proved as a robust platform for exploring mesoscopic and topological superconductivity .
Shabani shows he used a 12T Teslatron top-loader system to study transport properties of such quantum wells , quantum Hall effect , Shubnikov de Haas mass measurements and spin orbit coupling in these 2D gas systems .
In “ Conductance quantisation in one-dimensional fractional electrons ” , you can hear from Sanjeev Kumar from University College London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures .
In the talk , Kumar present results on recently discovered zero-magnetic fractional conductance quantisation in quasi-1D electrons in GaAs/AlGaAs semiconductor heterostructures .
He also shows how these non-magnetic fractional states could have applications in future quantum technologies .
The fourth webinar is from Mandar Deshmukh from the renowned Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai , India , where he ’ s been a faculty member since 2006 .
In “ Studying the flow of electrons in few-layer graphene ” , Deshmukh describes his fascination with 2D materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few-layer graphene systems , which let researchers study how electrons interact in such systems .
Few-layer graphene also lets you break simple symmetries and study their consequences .
Next up is Michael Hatridge from the University of Pittsburgh , where his group – the “ Hatlab ” – builds quantum circuits for quantum information processing and exploring fundamental physics , especially quantum measurement .
In his webinar “ Parametrically driven gates and loss operators in superconducting circuits ” , Hartridge explains how “ third-order ” nonlinearities can power parametrically-driven microwave amplifiers for measuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can control and couple transmon qubits and high-Q cavities .
In “ Quantum computing and qubit scale-up applications with Proteox ” , you can hear from James Robinson , a product manager at Oxford Instruments NanoScience in the UK .
Robinson provides an overview of the company ’ s new Proteox dilution refrigerator , highlighting the key features and how it ’ s suitable for many quantum computing and qubit scale-up applications .
The final Oxford Instruments webinar is given by Mengqiao Sui , application manager at Oxford Instruments NanoScience in Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Cryofree magnet system for low temperature transport measurement ” .
In the webinar , Mengqiao discusses the measurement probes , sample protecting units and the quantum transport measurement system , which are vital for measuring electrical transport at low temperatures .
As well as describing Oxford Instruments ’ TeslatronPT superconducting magnet system , he also explains how the company ’ s Demolab in Shanghai is helping researchers and customers .

The content highlighted in this article has been created and hosted by Physics World’s corporate partners. It is free to read but you will be asked to share your contact details with the relevant partner first before being granted access immediately afterwards.
Welcome to the latest in a new series of sponsored articles showcasing some of the latest white papers and webinars from physics-based businesses around the world
This time we are featuring a series of seven webinars from Oxford Instruments.
The company’s headline “guest presentation” is from Sheng Ran from the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US, who won the 2020 Lee Osheroff Richardson science prize for North and South America. Specializing in the discovery and characterization of exotic quantum materials, Ran’s webinar is entitled “Spin-triplet superconducting state in the nearly ferromagnetic compound UTe 2 ”. The superconducting state of UTe 2 is like that in ferromagnetic superconductors, but the normal state is paramagnetic and shows no indication of magnetic ordering. Along with a very big anisotropic upper critical field, temperature independent NMR Knight shift and a large residual normal electronic density of states, these facts strongly suggest its superconductivity is carried by spin-triplet pairs.
Other presentations
In “Transport properties of low dimensional semiconductors”, Javad Shabani from New York University describes how near-surface quantum wells with strong spin-orbit coupling can be interfaced epitaxially with superconducting films and have proved as a robust platform for exploring mesoscopic and topological superconductivity. Shabani shows he used a 12T Teslatron top-loader system to study transport properties of such quantum wells, quantum Hall effect, Shubnikov de Haas mass measurements and spin orbit coupling in these 2D gas systems.
In “Conductance quantisation in one-dimensional fractional electrons”, you can hear from Sanjeev Kumar from University College London, whose group looks at quantum transport in low-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures. In the talk, Kumar present results on recently discovered zero-magnetic fractional conductance quantisation in quasi-1D electrons in GaAs/AlGaAs semiconductor heterostructures. He also shows how these non-magnetic fractional states could have applications in future quantum technologies.
The fourth webinar is from Mandar Deshmukh from the renowned Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, India, where he’s been a faculty member since 2006. In “Studying the flow of electrons in few-layer graphene”, Deshmukh describes his fascination with 2D materials, not just monolayer graphene but also few-layer graphene systems, which let researchers study how electrons interact in such systems. Few-layer graphene also lets you break simple symmetries and study their consequences.
Next up is Michael Hatridge from the University of Pittsburgh, where his group – the “Hatlab” – builds quantum circuits for quantum information processing and exploring fundamental physics, especially quantum measurement. In his webinar “Parametrically driven gates and loss operators in superconducting circuits”, Hartridge explains how “third-order” nonlinearities can power parametrically-driven microwave amplifiers for measuring superconducting qubits, presenting two new experiments that can control and couple transmon qubits and high-Q cavities.
In “Quantum computing and qubit scale-up applications with Proteox”, you can hear from James Robinson, a product manager at Oxford Instruments NanoScience in the UK. Robinson provides an overview of the company’s new Proteox dilution refrigerator, highlighting the key features and how it’s suitable for many quantum computing and qubit scale-up applications.
The final Oxford Instruments webinar is given by Mengqiao Sui, application manager at Oxford Instruments NanoScience in Beijing, China, who is speaking on “Cryofree magnet system for low temperature transport measurement”. In the webinar, Mengqiao discusses the measurement probes, sample protecting units and the quantum transport measurement system, which are vital for measuring electrical transport at low temperatures. As well as describing Oxford Instruments’ TeslatronPT superconducting magnet system, he also explains how the company’s Demolab in Shanghai is helping researchers and customers.


physicsworld--2020-07-01--LIGO reveals quantum correlations at work in mirrors weighing tens of kilograms - Physics World

Physicists working on the LIGO gravitational-wave observatory in the US have shown that quantum-scale correlations can leave their mark on macroscopic objects weighing tens of kilograms .
The team explored the interplay between the interferometer ’ s laser beam and its huge test masses , showing that the instrument ’ s quantum noise could be reduced below an intrinsic limit .
This , the researchers say , could boost the future rate of discoveries with such observatories .
Gravitational waves are light-speed disturbances in space–time that are generated by massive objects accelerating somewhere in space .
They can be observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beams propagating at right angles to one another , given that the waves ’ passage through the Earth lengthens the path of one beam very slightly compared to the other .
The sensitivity of these instruments is limited by Heisenberg ’ s uncertainty principle , which stipulates a minimum combined uncertainty in an object ’ s position and momentum .
To have sufficient sensitivity to detect the minute distance changes caused by a passing gravitational wave , an observatory ’ s laser beams must each bounce many times between a pair of suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the photons exert pressure on the mirrors as they bounce off them , causing the mirrors to deflect and the laser path-length to change very slightly .
“ The light measures position yet disturbs momentum , thus imposing the Heisenberg limit , ” says LIGO group member Lee McCuller of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
In practice , the interferometer ’ s sensitivity has a minimum determined by the discrete , random nature of this and another quantum-mechanical process – the arrival time of photons at the photoelectric detector .
Normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as a trade-off between the uncertainty in these two quantities called the standard quantum limit .
However , that limit can in theory be beaten if there is a correlation between these uncertainties , which are known as shot noise and quantum radiation pressure noise .
The latest work provides the first experimental proof that the standard quantum limit can be beaten in a gravitational-wave observatory .
The research was carried out by Haocun Yu , McCuller and other members of the LIGO collaboration on one half of the LIGO observatory – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in Livingston , Louisiana .
To make their measurements , Yu and colleagues used the interferometer in two different modes .
In both , the laser light was subject to ever-present vacuum fluctuations that create uncertainties in measurements of its phase and amplitude – giving rise to shot noise and radiation noise .
But in the first mode those vacuum fluctuations were entirely natural , and on average the two sources of noise were equally large .
In the second , in contrast , the fluctuations were manipulated so that one noise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – creating a “ squeezed ” vacuum state .
Using five hours ’ worth of data collected last year , the researchers plotted the variation in the uncertainty of the interferometer ’ s distance measurement over a range of frequencies in the output signal .
To deduce the detector ’ s total quantum noise , they subtracted from this distribution classical noise sources – such as thermal fluctuations in the mirror coatings – which they had quantified in a reference measurement .
They then compared the resulting data against model predictions .
Reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group says that its work marks two important milestones in quantum measurement .
One , it says , is having directly observed that radiation noise contributes to the motion of the interferometer ’ s mirrors – each of which weighs 40 kg .
This , they write , indicates that an effect brought about by Heisenberg ’ s uncertainty principle “ persists even at human scales ” .
The researchers ’ second key finding is having shown that when using squeezed vacuum states the resulting quantum noise does indeed drop below the standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This , they say , proves the existence of quantum correlations between the laser beam and the mirrors .
Writing a commentary piece to accompany the paper , Valeria Sequino of the University of Naples and Mateusz Bawaj of the University of Perugia in Italy point out that the LIGO group is not the first to have reduced quantum noise below the standard limit .
But they note that much previous work , which did not involve gravitational-wave observatories , required cryogenic conditions to reduce thermal noise .
One impressive aspect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the fact it was carried out at room temperature .
Sequino and Bawaj also point out that LIGO and the Virgo observatory in Italy already use squeezed vacuum states to enhance the sensitivity of their interferometers at high frequencies .
But in an e-mail to Physics World , they explain that the quantum correlations introduce a “ frequency dependent squeezing ” .
This suppresses the noise source that creates the biggest problem in a certain region of the spectrum – meaning phase noise above 100 Hz and amplitude noise below it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simultaneously boosts the other type of noise in each region , the uncertainty principle remains intact .
However , they stress that this improvement in broadband detection has not yet been achieved – noting that the LIGO group obtained its result by “ a software subtraction of classical noise ” .
Reducing this noise in practice will require further work , they say .

Large quantum objects: two of LIGO’s mirrors, each weighing 40 kg. (Courtesy: Caltech/MIT/LIGO Lab)
Physicists working on the LIGO gravitational-wave observatory in the US have shown that quantum-scale correlations can leave their mark on macroscopic objects weighing tens of kilograms. The team explored the interplay between the interferometer’s laser beam and its huge test masses, showing that the instrument’s quantum noise could be reduced below an intrinsic limit. This, the researchers say, could boost the future rate of discoveries with such observatories.
Gravitational waves are light-speed disturbances in space–time that are generated by massive objects accelerating somewhere in space. They can be observed by monitoring the interference between two laser beams propagating at right angles to one another, given that the waves’ passage through the Earth lengthens the path of one beam very slightly compared to the other.
The sensitivity of these instruments is limited by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, which stipulates a minimum combined uncertainty in an object’s position and momentum. To have sufficient sensitivity to detect the minute distance changes caused by a passing gravitational wave, an observatory’s laser beams must each bounce many times between a pair of suspended mirrors before they meet and interfere. But the photons exert pressure on the mirrors as they bounce off them, causing the mirrors to deflect and the laser path-length to change very slightly. “The light measures position yet disturbs momentum, thus imposing the Heisenberg limit,” says LIGO group member Lee McCuller of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Standard quantum limit
In practice, the interferometer’s sensitivity has a minimum determined by the discrete, random nature of this and another quantum-mechanical process – the arrival time of photons at the photoelectric detector. Normally, the best that can be achieved comes as a trade-off between the uncertainty in these two quantities called the standard quantum limit. However, that limit can in theory be beaten if there is a correlation between these uncertainties, which are known as shot noise and quantum radiation pressure noise.
The latest work provides the first experimental proof that the standard quantum limit can be beaten in a gravitational-wave observatory. The research was carried out by Haocun Yu, McCuller and other members of the LIGO collaboration on one half of the LIGO observatory – a pair of 4 km-long interferometer arms located in Livingston, Louisiana.
To make their measurements, Yu and colleagues used the interferometer in two different modes. In both, the laser light was subject to ever-present vacuum fluctuations that create uncertainties in measurements of its phase and amplitude – giving rise to shot noise and radiation noise. But in the first mode those vacuum fluctuations were entirely natural, and on average the two sources of noise were equally large. In the second, in contrast, the fluctuations were manipulated so that one noise source was suppressed while the other expanded – creating a “squeezed” vacuum state.
Classical noise
Using five hours’ worth of data collected last year, the researchers plotted the variation in the uncertainty of the interferometer’s distance measurement over a range of frequencies in the output signal. To deduce the detector’s total quantum noise, they subtracted from this distribution classical noise sources – such as thermal fluctuations in the mirror coatings – which they had quantified in a reference measurement. They then compared the resulting data against model predictions.
Reporting its results in Nature, the LIGO group says that its work marks two important milestones in quantum measurement. One, it says, is having directly observed that radiation noise contributes to the motion of the interferometer’s mirrors – each of which weighs 40 kg. This, they write, indicates that an effect brought about by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle “persists even at human scales”.
The researchers’ second key finding is having shown that when using squeezed vacuum states the resulting quantum noise does indeed drop below the standard limit at frequencies of about 30–50 Hz. This, they say, proves the existence of quantum correlations between the laser beam and the mirrors.
Room temperature result
Writing a commentary piece to accompany the paper, Valeria Sequino of the University of Naples and Mateusz Bawaj of the University of Perugia in Italy point out that the LIGO group is not the first to have reduced quantum noise below the standard limit. But they note that much previous work, which did not involve gravitational-wave observatories, required cryogenic conditions to reduce thermal noise. One impressive aspect of the latest research, they say, is the fact it was carried out at room temperature.
Sequino and Bawaj also point out that LIGO and the Virgo observatory in Italy already use squeezed vacuum states to enhance the sensitivity of their interferometers at high frequencies. But in an e-mail to Physics World, they explain that the quantum correlations introduce a “frequency dependent squeezing”. This suppresses the noise source that creates the biggest problem in a certain region of the spectrum – meaning phase noise above 100 Hz and amplitude noise below it. And they add that since this squeezing simultaneously boosts the other type of noise in each region, the uncertainty principle remains intact.
However, they stress that this improvement in broadband detection has not yet been achieved – noting that the LIGO group obtained its result by “a software subtraction of classical noise”. Reducing this noise in practice will require further work, they say.


physicsworld--2020-07-01--Hubble trouble, fighting ‘flat-Earthers’ and blue lasers for batteries: the July 2020 edition of Phy

Hubble trouble, fighting ‘flat-Earthers’ and blue lasers for batteries: the July 2020 edition of Physics World is now out - Physics World

Europe ’ s Planck mission famously measured the Hubble constant to the greatest precision ever , finding it to be 67.4 km/s/Mpc , measured to an uncertainty of less than 1 % .
In other words , every stretch of space a million parsecs ( 3.26 million light-years ) wide is expanding by a further 67.4 km every second – and suggesting the universe is 13.8 billion years old .
So how come more-recent measurements of our “ local universe ” yield a different figure of 73.3 km/s/Mpc , with an uncertainty of 2.4 % – suggesting the universe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the July 2020 issue of Physics World , Keith Cooper ’ s cover feature investigates the discrepancies and examines what the implications could be .
If you ’ re a member of the Institute of Physics , you can read the whole of Physics World magazine every month via our digital apps for iOS , Android and Web browsers .
Let us know what you think about the issue on Twitter , Facebook or by e-mailing us at pwld @ ioppublishing.org .
For the record , here ’ s a rundown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Scientists strike in racism protest – Researchers , scientific societies and publishers took part in a one-day strike last month to consider how to combat racism and discrimination in science , as Peter Gwynne and Matin Durrani report • Growing the gravitational-wave network – David Reitze , executive director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory , talks to Richard Blaustein about how gravitational-wave observations are set for a multi-detector boost • The danger of going online only – Harry Collins , Bill Barnes and Riccardo Sapienza warn againsta wholesale shift to virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The e-bike revolution – Electric bikes are all the rage , but James McKenzie wonders if the future lies with a minimalist kit that can be retrofitted to an ordinary bicycle • Transmogrified physics II – Robert P Crease reports on your latest work in the exciting new scientific field he discovered • Finding a consistent constant – The Planck mission gave us the most precise value of the Hubble constant to date by measuring the cosmic microwave background .
But studies made since using different methods provide different values .
Keith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it might mean for cosmology • Fighting flat-Earth theory – Physicists will find it shocking , but there are plenty of people around the world who genuinely believe the Earth is flat .
Rachel Brazil explores why such views are increasingly taking hold and how the physics community should best respond • The blue solution – Powerful blue lasers are producing the high-quality copper welds needed to make batteries for electric vehicles , as Richard Stevenson reports • Net entanglement – Andrew Robinson reviews The System : Who Owns the Internet , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Training a computer to fight cancer – Medical physicist and entrepreneur Maryellen Giger talks to Margaret Harris about how she established the use of AI in breast cancer imaging • Ask me anything – Sabine Hossenfelder from the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies gives her advice to early-career physicists

The July 2020 issue of Physics World covers discrepancies in the Hubble constant, how to deal with people who think the Earth is flat, and why blue lasers could boost electric batteries
Hubble trouble: the July 2020 issue of Physics World examines discrepancies in how fast we think the cosmos is expanding.
Europe’s Planck mission famously measured the Hubble constant to the greatest precision ever, finding it to be 67.4 km/s/Mpc, measured to an uncertainty of less than 1%.
In other words, every stretch of space a million parsecs (3.26 million light-years) wide is expanding by a further 67.4 km every second – and suggesting the universe is 13.8 billion years old.
So how come more-recent measurements of our “local universe” yield a different figure of 73.3 km/s/Mpc, with an uncertainty of 2.4% – suggesting the universe is not as old as we thought.
In the July 2020 issue of Physics World, Keith Cooper’s cover feature investigates the discrepancies and examines what the implications could be.
If you’re a member of the Institute of Physics, you can read the whole of Physics World magazine every month via our digital apps for iOS, Android and Web browsers. Let us know what you think about the issue on Twitter, Facebook or by e-mailing us at pwld@ioppublishing.org.
For the record, here’s a rundown of what else is in the issue.
• Scientists strike in racism protest – Researchers, scientific societies and publishers took part in a one-day strike last month to consider how to combat racism and discrimination in science, as Peter Gwynne and Matin Durrani report
• Growing the gravitational-wave network – David Reitze, executive director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, talks to Richard Blaustein about how gravitational-wave observations are set for a multi-detector boost
• The danger of going online only – Harry Collins, Bill Barnes and Riccardo Sapienza warn againsta wholesale shift to virtual workshops and conferences following the COVID-19 pandemic
• The e-bike revolution – Electric bikes are all the rage, but James McKenzie wonders if the future lies with a minimalist kit that can be retrofitted to an ordinary bicycle
• Transmogrified physics II – Robert P Crease reports on your latest work in the exciting new scientific field he discovered
• Finding a consistent constant – The Planck mission gave us the most precise value of the Hubble constant to date by measuring the cosmic microwave background. But studies made since using different methods provide different values. Keith Cooper investigates the discrepancies and asks what it might mean for cosmology
• Fighting flat-Earth theory – Physicists will find it shocking, but there are plenty of people around the world who genuinely believe the Earth is flat. Rachel Brazil explores why such views are increasingly taking hold and how the physics community should best respond
• The blue solution – Powerful blue lasers are producing the high-quality copper welds needed to make batteries for electric vehicles, as Richard Stevenson reports
• Cracking the quantum code – Kate Gardner reviews FX/BBC TV quantum-tech series Devs
• Net entanglement – Andrew Robinson reviews The System: Who Owns the Internet, and How It Owns Us by James Ball
• Training a computer to fight cancer – Medical physicist and entrepreneur Maryellen Giger talks to Margaret Harris about how she established the use of AI in breast cancer imaging
• Ask me anything – Sabine Hossenfelder from the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies gives her advice to early-career physicists
• Lateral thoughts – Summer quiz 2020


physicsworld--2020-07-01--HOT technique produces clear 3D images of biological structures - Physics World

A collaborative team from Colorado State University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new type of nonlinear microscopy , called harmonic optical tomography ( HOT ) , that can produce 3D images of biological tissues in minutes .
Nonlinear microscopy techniques have several benefits over traditional microscopy , as they can image deeper into a sample and are able to visualize many biological features without dyes or markers .
One variety of nonlinear microscopy – second-harmonic generation microscopy – is particularly good at imaging molecules that are organized into filaments , such as collagen or muscle fibres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing holographic images of biological samples , combined this expertise with second-harmonic generation microscopy to produce the HOT microscope .
The researchers began by developing theoretical models describing how to image the sample .
While creating these models , they found that using out-of-focus laser light would actually provide a unique capability for 3D imaging .
They then constructed a microscope that could use these models to image samples .
Crucial for development of this microscope was a custom-built high-power laser , which was then integrated into a custom holographic microscope .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the required second-harmonic generation signal , the researchers used unfocused light .
This also allowed a larger field of the sample to be illuminated at any one time .
The team tested the microscope on myosin fibres in skeletal muscle samples .
The wide-field second-harmonic generation microscopy alone was insufficient to produce high-quality data , as the images were corrupted by out-of-focus light and appeared blurry .
The HOT microscope , however , uses computational algorithms to reconstruct the image to remove the stray light and produced clear artefact-free images .
The HOT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the myosin .
Typically , producing these types of 3D images requires a laser scanning technique that sweeps through a sample pixel-by-pixel to produce a 2D image .
These images are then stacked up to produce a 3D image .
The HOT microscope still collects 2D images but is not restricted to pixel-by-pixel scanning .
This means that HOT is considerably faster than traditional methods .
As well as saving time , this makes the technique less vulnerable to unwanted vibrations and natural drift of microscope focus .
This type of microscopy can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological features and is sensitive to orientation of fibres within the sample .
This could be particularly useful to image collagen in tumours , for example , where the orientation of the fibres can indicate disease prognosis .
“ Most investigators look at it in 2D and not 3D , ” says senior author Gabriel Popescu .
“ Using this technique , we can use the orientation of the collagen fibres as a reporter of how aggressive the cancer is.
” This work is describe in Nature Photonics .

Left: wide-field second harmonic generation intensity measurement of a murine muscle slice, where the structure is visible but distorted by out-of-focus light. Right: harmonic optical tomography reconstruction developed in this work, displaying the filaments in the tissue. (Courtesy: Colorado State University)
A collaborative team from Colorado State University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new type of nonlinear microscopy, called harmonic optical tomography (HOT), that can produce 3D images of biological tissues in minutes.
Nonlinear microscopy techniques have several benefits over traditional microscopy, as they can image deeper into a sample and are able to visualize many biological features without dyes or markers. One variety of nonlinear microscopy – second-harmonic generation microscopy – is particularly good at imaging molecules that are organized into filaments, such as collagen or muscle fibres.
The team, which specializes in producing holographic images of biological samples, combined this expertise with second-harmonic generation microscopy to produce the HOT microscope.
Making a microscope
The researchers began by developing theoretical models describing how to image the sample. While creating these models, they found that using out-of-focus laser light would actually provide a unique capability for 3D imaging.
They then constructed a microscope that could use these models to image samples. Crucial for development of this microscope was a custom-built high-power laser, which was then integrated into a custom holographic microscope. To achieve the specific illumination conditions to form the required second-harmonic generation signal, the researchers used unfocused light. This also allowed a larger field of the sample to be illuminated at any one time.
The team tested the microscope on myosin fibres in skeletal muscle samples. The wide-field second-harmonic generation microscopy alone was insufficient to produce high-quality data, as the images were corrupted by out-of-focus light and appeared blurry. The HOT microscope, however, uses computational algorithms to reconstruct the image to remove the stray light and produced clear artefact-free images. The HOT reconstruction revealed the distinctive fibre structure of the myosin.
Quicker and better images
Typically, producing these types of 3D images requires a laser scanning technique that sweeps through a sample pixel-by-pixel to produce a 2D image. These images are then stacked up to produce a 3D image. The HOT microscope still collects 2D images but is not restricted to pixel-by-pixel scanning. This means that HOT is considerably faster than traditional methods. As well as saving time, this makes the technique less vulnerable to unwanted vibrations and natural drift of microscope focus.
This type of microscopy can be used to image a variety of biological features and is sensitive to orientation of fibres within the sample. This could be particularly useful to image collagen in tumours, for example, where the orientation of the fibres can indicate disease prognosis. “Most investigators look at it in 2D and not 3D,” says senior author Gabriel Popescu. “Using this technique, we can use the orientation of the collagen fibres as a reporter of how aggressive the cancer is.”
This work is describe in Nature Photonics.


physicsworld--2020-07-01--5G switching gets a 2D boost - Physics World

Two-dimensional sheets of boron nitride can be used to create an analogue switch that gives communication devices more efficient access to radio , 5G and terahertz frequencies while increasing their battery life .
The switch , which was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin in the US and the University of Lille in France , could be employed in a host of different applications , including smartphones , mobile systems and the “ Internet of things ” .
Analogue switches are routinely employed in communication systems to switch from one frequency band to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving antennas , and reconfigure wireless networks .
Traditionally , these switches are based on solid-state diodes or transistors , but components of this type consume energy even in standby mode , reducing the battery life of the device .
With 5G networking set to drive a tenfold increase in data throughput – enabling advances in self-driving cars , delivery drones , remote surgery and fast downloads of high-definition media in the process – addressing this energy drain is more urgent than ever .
A team led by Deji Akinwande of UT Austin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now made an analogue switch from atomically thin sheets of hexagonal boron nitride ( hBN ) .
This material belongs to the same family as graphene ( indeed , it is sometimes called “ white graphene ” for its resemblance to sheets of one-atomic-layer-thick carbon ) and comprises a single layer of boron and nitrogen arranged in a honeycomb pattern .
The material ’ s unusual electronic properties – including a large bandgap and high phonon energies – make it an excellent dielectric , and Akinwande and colleagues used it to construct a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than existing commercial alternatives .
The device is configured in a metal-insulator-metal sandwich on a diamond substrate , and the UT team demonstrated that it can transmit multiple HDTV streams at a frequency of 100 GHz – something unheard-of in broadband switch technology , Akinwande says .
It can also switch between states in nanoseconds , remain in the “ off ” state when not operating ( so saving battery life ) , and transmit data well above the baseline for 5G-level speeds .
While researchers have made near-zero-power switches before , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the 5G spectrum , where speeds are slower but data can travel longer distances .
Akinwande and colleagues ’ switch is the first to function from low-end GHz frequencies to high-end THz frequencies – something that might one day be key to developing 5G ’ s successor , 6G .
As well as saving battery life in smartphones , the switch could also be used in satellite systems , smart radios , reconfigurable communications , the Internet of things and defence technology , according to the researchers .
The present work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , builds on previous work by Akinwande ’ s team in which they created the thinnest ever memory device from hBN .
In the future , they plan to improve the reliability of their switches to millions of cycles and push the technology to work at the higher speeds required for 6G wireless applications .
Akinwande has also published a blog post about the work on the Nature Research Communities website .

The new switch showing two gold electrodes with a layer of hBN in between. (Courtesy: UT Austin)
Two-dimensional sheets of boron nitride can be used to create an analogue switch that gives communication devices more efficient access to radio, 5G and terahertz frequencies while increasing their battery life. The switch, which was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin in the US and the University of Lille in France, could be employed in a host of different applications, including smartphones, mobile systems and the “Internet of things”.
Analogue switches are routinely employed in communication systems to switch from one frequency band to another, route signals between transmitting and receiving antennas, and reconfigure wireless networks. Traditionally, these switches are based on solid-state diodes or transistors, but components of this type consume energy even in standby mode, reducing the battery life of the device. With 5G networking set to drive a tenfold increase in data throughput – enabling advances in self-driving cars, delivery drones, remote surgery and fast downloads of high-definition media in the process – addressing this energy drain is more urgent than ever.
“White graphene”
A team led by Deji Akinwande of UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering has now made an analogue switch from atomically thin sheets of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). This material belongs to the same family as graphene (indeed, it is sometimes called “white graphene” for its resemblance to sheets of one-atomic-layer-thick carbon) and comprises a single layer of boron and nitrogen arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The material’s unusual electronic properties – including a large bandgap and high phonon energies – make it an excellent dielectric, and Akinwande and colleagues used it to construct a switch that is 50 times more energy-efficient than existing commercial alternatives.
The device is configured in a metal-insulator-metal sandwich on a diamond substrate, and the UT team demonstrated that it can transmit multiple HDTV streams at a frequency of 100 GHz – something unheard-of in broadband switch technology, Akinwande says. It can also switch between states in nanoseconds, remain in the “off” state when not operating (so saving battery life), and transmit data well above the baseline for 5G-level speeds.
Building on previous work
While researchers have made near-zero-power switches before, these other devices were limited to the low end of the 5G spectrum, where speeds are slower but data can travel longer distances. Akinwande and colleagues’ switch is the first to function from low-end GHz frequencies to high-end THz frequencies – something that might one day be key to developing 5G’s successor, 6G.
As well as saving battery life in smartphones, the switch could also be used in satellite systems, smart radios, reconfigurable communications, the Internet of things and defence technology, according to the researchers.
The present work, which is detailed in Nature Electronics, builds on previous work by Akinwande’s team in which they created the thinnest ever memory device from hBN. In the future, they plan to improve the reliability of their switches to millions of cycles and push the technology to work at the higher speeds required for 6G wireless applications. Akinwande has also published a blog post about the work on the Nature Research Communities website.


physicsworld--2020-07-01--Cracking the quantum code - Physics World

Science writer Philip Ball joins Kate Gardner and Tushna Commissariat from Physics World to discuss the TV thriller Devs .
Listen to the full conversation in the Physics World Weekly podcast .
To understand quantum physics – as far as anyone does – requires a lot of imagination , and a fair bit of philosophy .
If you examine whether , say , the Many Worlds interpretation is correct , that opens up discussions of determinism versus free choice .
Indeed , proving which quantum physics interpretation is true could have huge implications for humanity , and for how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not quite be there in real life , that is what the characters in new TV show Devs are attempting to unravel .
This sci-fi thriller from writer-director Alex Garland ( 28 Days Later , Ex-Machina ) has quantum physics at its heart and truly embraces all the complexity that entails .
The screen is often packed with smart people debating the nature of reality – and yet all eight episodes are also action-packed and thrilling .
In the opening scene of Devs , a young couple sit in their kitchen having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I really appreciated was that this dialogue is neither plot explanation , nor mere technobabble .
It ’ s establishing two scientists having a realistic technical discussion – a friendly disagreement – about their work .
The woman in this cosy set-up is Lily ( played by Sonoya Mizuno ) , a quantum-communications expert .
Her boyfriend is Sergei ( Karl Glusman ) , an AI developer .
They both work at Amaya – a quantum tech company on the outskirts of San Francisco run by its enigmatic founder Forest ( Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company with a beautiful campus – including a small woodland that disguises the location of the super-secret Devs building .
Everyone at Amaya knows this department exists , but only those who work in Devs know what it does .
To reveal exactly what this clandestine department does – and how – would certainly constitute a spoiler , but the building itself is worthy of comment .
From the outside it is a giant concrete bunker .
Inside it is the one thing in this series that I could find fault with .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended magnetically at its centre , surrounded by a vacuum moat , several metres wide , separating it from the outer walls , floor and ceiling .
The only access is via a horizontal lift that traverses the vacuum .
No electronic devices – or cleaners – are allowed in , but there is somehow a fully functioning bathroom inside .
I couldn ’ t help but wonder how exactly the plumbing functions .
Nitpicking aside , this piece of futuristic architecture is built around a quantum computer – not the black box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a device made of tubes and copper coils resembling more than anything else an old carriage clock , with not a circuit board in sight .
It ’ s not a million miles from press images of Google ’ s quantum computers – not the only time Google was a major inspiration in this show ’ s design .
Lily is our hero , a practical and capable woman whose life is thrown into disarray when Sergei is transferred to Devs .
Through him we meet the rest of Devs team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Alison Pill ) .
They are all odd in their way , but these are not cardboard mockeries .
The only “ type ” under fire here is Forest as the tech CEO , whose financial success has given him power and control over people .
Mizuno , a Japanese-British ballet dancer and actor , has worked with Garland twice before ( you may remember her as Kyoko , the attendant in Ex-Machina ) .
She is utterly convincing as Lily , even while – like almost all characters in this drama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what side she is on and how much of what she says is true .
She is shown a little more often than is necessary in her underwear , but in that outfit , she reminded me of Ripley in Aliens , which is a strong point of reference .
Offerman is similarly an inspired choice to play Forest .
He is best known for playing gruff but loveable Ron Swanson in the TV show Parks and Recreation .
As Forest , there are moments of that same leadership figure : affable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can turn on a pin to something much more sinister .
Which makes Devs , his pet project , equally menacing .
It should come as no surprise that a project from Garland is well acted and beautifully shot , but I will say that the science component of his fiction has come a long way from the dubious physics of Sunshine , his 2007 film about reigniting the Sun , which is prematurely dying .
That film boasted one Brian Cox as its scientific adviser , while Devs was developed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledgeable about quantum – including Google ’ s Quantum AI Lab .
Garland and Mizuno personally visited the Google lab , and this visit – along with several others to a host of Silicon Valley companies – is evident in the set design and the way people move around it .
Aside from the supremely unnerving giant statue at its centre , the architecture at Amaya is wonderful .
A friend described the architecture as “ realistic and tech-bro ” , but I think that is misleading , because there is nothing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a little idealism on Garland ’ s part , or perhaps that ’ s the Silicon Valley he saw during his research .
If you ’ re looking for an entertaining 360 minutes that explores cause and effect , or the true meaning of determinism , but is also an absorbing thrill ride , Devs is just the ticket .
• Devs is available to watch on Hulu in the US , on BBC iPlayer in the UK

Physics World. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue Taken from the July 2020 issue of. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue via the Physics World app
Kate Gardner reviews the new TV show Devs, which explores quantum physics in a thriller setting
Science writer Philip Ball joins Kate Gardner and Tushna Commissariat from Physics World to discuss the TV thriller Devs. Listen to the full conversation in the Physics World Weekly podcast.
To understand quantum physics – as far as anyone does – requires a lot of imagination, and a fair bit of philosophy. If you examine whether, say, the Many Worlds interpretation is correct, that opens up discussions of determinism versus free choice. Indeed, proving which quantum physics interpretation is true could have huge implications for humanity, and for how we live our lives. While we may not quite be there in real life, that is what the characters in new TV show Devs are attempting to unravel.
This sci-fi thriller from writer-director Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Ex-Machina) has quantum physics at its heart and truly embraces all the complexity that entails. The screen is often packed with smart people debating the nature of reality – and yet all eight episodes are also action-packed and thrilling. In the opening scene of Devs, a young couple sit in their kitchen having a conversation about quantum cryptography over breakfast. What I really appreciated was that this dialogue is neither plot explanation, nor mere technobabble. It’s establishing two scientists having a realistic technical discussion – a friendly disagreement – about their work.
The woman in this cosy set-up is Lily (played by Sonoya Mizuno), a quantum-communications expert. Her boyfriend is Sergei (Karl Glusman), an AI developer. They both work at Amaya – a quantum tech company on the outskirts of San Francisco run by its enigmatic founder Forest (Nick Offerman). Amaya is a large company with a beautiful campus – including a small woodland that disguises the location of the super-secret Devs building. Everyone at Amaya knows this department exists, but only those who work in Devs know what it does.
To reveal exactly what this clandestine department does – and how – would certainly constitute a spoiler, but the building itself is worthy of comment. From the outside it is a giant concrete bunker. Inside it is the one thing in this series that I could find fault with. A glass and steel computing lab is suspended magnetically at its centre, surrounded by a vacuum moat, several metres wide, separating it from the outer walls, floor and ceiling. The only access is via a horizontal lift that traverses the vacuum. No electronic devices – or cleaners – are allowed in, but there is somehow a fully functioning bathroom inside. I couldn’t help but wonder how exactly the plumbing functions.
Google’s Quantum AI Lab was a major inspiration in this show’s design
Nitpicking aside, this piece of futuristic architecture is built around a quantum computer – not the black box of press releases from D-Wave Systems, but a device made of tubes and copper coils resembling more than anything else an old carriage clock, with not a circuit board in sight. It’s not a million miles from press images of Google’s quantum computers – not the only time Google was a major inspiration in this show’s design.
Lily is our hero, a practical and capable woman whose life is thrown into disarray when Sergei is transferred to Devs. Through him we meet the rest of Devs team, led by the severe chief designer Katie (Alison Pill). They are all odd in their way, but these are not cardboard mockeries. The only “type” under fire here is Forest as the tech CEO, whose financial success has given him power and control over people.
Practical approach Sonoya Mizuno plays Lily, a quantum expert trying to understand her employer’s convoluted intentions. (Courtesy: BBC/FX Networks)
Mizuno, a Japanese-British ballet dancer and actor, has worked with Garland twice before (you may remember her as Kyoko, the attendant in Ex-Machina). She is utterly convincing as Lily, even while – like almost all characters in this drama – keeping the audience guessing as to what side she is on and how much of what she says is true. She is shown a little more often than is necessary in her underwear, but in that outfit, she reminded me of Ripley in Aliens, which is a strong point of reference.
Offerman is similarly an inspired choice to play Forest. He is best known for playing gruff but loveable Ron Swanson in the TV show Parks and Recreation. As Forest, there are moments of that same leadership figure: affable and brusque in a charming way, but he can turn on a pin to something much more sinister. Which makes Devs, his pet project, equally menacing.
It should come as no surprise that a project from Garland is well acted and beautifully shot, but I will say that the science component of his fiction has come a long way from the dubious physics of Sunshine, his 2007 film about reigniting the Sun, which is prematurely dying. That film boasted one Brian Cox as its scientific adviser, while Devs was developed in conversation with a whole raft of people knowledgeable about quantum – including Google’s Quantum AI Lab.
Garland and Mizuno personally visited the Google lab, and this visit – along with several others to a host of Silicon Valley companies – is evident in the set design and the way people move around it. Aside from the supremely unnerving giant statue at its centre, the architecture at Amaya is wonderful. A friend described the architecture as “realistic and tech-bro”, but I think that is misleading, because there is nothing “bro” about this series. Perhaps that’s a little idealism on Garland’s part, or perhaps that’s the Silicon Valley he saw during his research.
If you’re looking for an entertaining 360 minutes that explores cause and effect, or the true meaning of determinism, but is also an absorbing thrill ride, Devs is just the ticket.
Devs is available to watch on Hulu in the US, on BBC iPlayer in the UK
2020 FX/BBC


physicsworld--2020-06-30--Working in medical physics: not your average career - Physics World

For certain fields of physics , it can be tough to explain how the research has a direct benefit to society .
That is never the case with medical physics – a career where you can apply a technical skillset to directly improve people ’ s everyday lives .
In this episode of the Physics World Stories podcast , Andrew Glester catches up with three medical physicists from The Christie – the largest cancer hospital in Europe – to learn about their careers .
Heather Williams , the principal physicist in nuclear medicine at The Christie , speaks about some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomography ( PET ) .
Williams also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the working practices at the hospital , requiring some difficult decisions around risk management .
Among other developments , clinical engineers have been working with industry to develop new systems to deliver oxygen to coronavirus patients .
Later in the podcast , you will also hear from Patricia Amata who is studying for a PhD in ultrasound modalities .
Medical ultrasound is most commonly associated with the field of obstetrics , where it is used to generate images of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this non-ionising form of imaging is used across the medical spectrum – from breast scans to neurology , and often as a way of calibrating other imaging techniques .
Finally , clinical scientist Imran Patel speaks about the Christie ’ s proton therapy centre , which has been treating patients since December 2018 .
Patel , who leads the proton therapy physics group , explains why proton therapy can offer benefits in certain circumstances , such as paediatric cases .
Unlike photons and electrons , protons beams can deliver a radiation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to surrounding healthy tissue .
You can take a look inside the Christie ’ s proton therapy centre in this video produced in 2019 .

For certain fields of physics, it can be tough to explain how the research has a direct benefit to society. That is never the case with medical physics – a career where you can apply a technical skillset to directly improve people’s everyday lives. In this episode of the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester catches up with three medical physicists from The Christie – the largest cancer hospital in Europe – to learn about their careers.
Heather Williams, the principal physicist in nuclear medicine at The Christie, speaks about some of the latest developments in positron emission tomography (PET). Williams also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the working practices at the hospital, requiring some difficult decisions around risk management. Among other developments, clinical engineers have been working with industry to develop new systems to deliver oxygen to coronavirus patients.
Later in the podcast, you will also hear from Patricia Amata who is studying for a PhD in ultrasound modalities. Medical ultrasound is most commonly associated with the field of obstetrics, where it is used to generate images of the foetus developing in the womb. But this non-ionising form of imaging is used across the medical spectrum – from breast scans to neurology, and often as a way of calibrating other imaging techniques.
Finally, clinical scientist Imran Patel speaks about the Christie’s proton therapy centre, which has been treating patients since December 2018. Patel, who leads the proton therapy physics group, explains why proton therapy can offer benefits in certain circumstances, such as paediatric cases. Unlike photons and electrons, protons beams can deliver a radiation to a highly localized sites, minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
You can take a look inside the Christie’s proton therapy centre in this video produced in 2019.


physicsworld--2020-06-30--Calculating the speed of coronal mass ejections could avoid unneeded satellite shutdown - Physics Wo

Calculating the speed of coronal mass ejections could avoid unneeded satellite shutdown - Physics World

Satellite operators could be doing more harm than good by shutting down their systems whenever a coronal mass ejection ( CME ) from the Sun is forecast to arrive at Earth , UK researchers have suggested .
Mathew Owens , Mike Lockwood and Luke Barnard at the University of Reading show that the speeds and magnetic field intensities of the bursts could be just as important to consider as their arrival times when deciding when to turn satellite systems off .
If applied , their ideas could significantly improve the efficiency of many satellite operations .
Originating from the Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high energy bursts of plasma that travel through interplanetary space , accompanied by strong magnetic fields .
When they interact with Earth ’ s atmosphere , they can trigger solar storms that cause severe damage to satellite systems if they are operating at the time .
To predict these disruptions , astronomers measure the speed at which CMEs travel through space to make accurate forecasts of when they will arrive at Earth .
Currently , many satellite operators adopt a “ better safe than sorry ” approach when responding to these forecasts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they will completely shut down their systems to avoid any damage .
However , the Reading trio argue that these current early warning systems do not account for a simple yet crucial fact : while all solar storms are triggered by CMEs , not all CMEs cause in damaging events .
The researchers believe that this oversight is now causing many false alarms , forcing satellites to shut down when they can be operated safely .
Furthermore , the cost of unneeded shutdowns could be even greater than the cost associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to CMEs , the team suggest that alongside arrival times , it is just as important for CME forecasts to incorporate information about their speeds , and the intensities of their accompanying magnetic fields – both key indicators of solar storm severity .
Owens and colleagues tested this principle through a simple analysis of solar wind data , in which they calculated the costs of shutting down satellite systems only when CME speed and magnetic field measurements indicated that damaging weather was about to occur .
Compared with more frequent shutdowns which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that the resulting costs were significantly reduced .
By quantifying the costs of false alarms in this way , the team ’ s findings could inform more sophisticated approaches to mitigating the damage of solar storms in the future .
If adopted more widely , their approach could help to streamline the efficiency of satellite operations ; significantly reducing costs incurred by the many groups which rely on them .
The research is described in Space Weather .

Reaching out: a huge coronal mass ejection that was spotted in 2012 by the ESA/NASA Solar Heliospheric Observatory. (Courtesy: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)
Satellite operators could be doing more harm than good by shutting down their systems whenever a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun is forecast to arrive at Earth, UK researchers have suggested. Mathew Owens, Mike Lockwood and Luke Barnard at the University of Reading show that the speeds and magnetic field intensities of the bursts could be just as important to consider as their arrival times when deciding when to turn satellite systems off. If applied, their ideas could significantly improve the efficiency of many satellite operations.
Originating from the Sun’s dynamic surface, CMEs are high energy bursts of plasma that travel through interplanetary space, accompanied by strong magnetic fields. When they interact with Earth’s atmosphere, they can trigger solar storms that cause severe damage to satellite systems if they are operating at the time. To predict these disruptions, astronomers measure the speed at which CMEs travel through space to make accurate forecasts of when they will arrive at Earth.
Currently, many satellite operators adopt a “better safe than sorry” approach when responding to these forecasts. Whenever a CME is predicted to arrive, they will completely shut down their systems to avoid any damage. However, the Reading trio argue that these current early warning systems do not account for a simple yet crucial fact: while all solar storms are triggered by CMEs, not all CMEs cause in damaging events.
Many false alarms
The researchers believe that this oversight is now causing many false alarms, forcing satellites to shut down when they can be operated safely. Furthermore, the cost of unneeded shutdowns could be even greater than the cost associated with solar storm damage. To improve the response to CMEs, the team suggest that alongside arrival times, it is just as important for CME forecasts to incorporate information about their speeds, and the intensities of their accompanying magnetic fields – both key indicators of solar storm severity.
Owens and colleagues tested this principle through a simple analysis of solar wind data, in which they calculated the costs of shutting down satellite systems only when CME speed and magnetic field measurements indicated that damaging weather was about to occur. Compared with more frequent shutdowns which only considered CME arrival times, they found that the resulting costs were significantly reduced.
By quantifying the costs of false alarms in this way, the team’s findings could inform more sophisticated approaches to mitigating the damage of solar storms in the future. If adopted more widely, their approach could help to streamline the efficiency of satellite operations; significantly reducing costs incurred by the many groups which rely on them.
The research is described in Space Weather.