tbc

Quantum technologies has been regarded as one of the most important prior future technologies. There are several ways of implementing quantum technologies. Among them, quantum photonics, which involves using single photons to process data, will be crucial for advancing quantum technology. It will directly enhance the security of future telecommunications networks. Therefore, we need a single photon source (SPS) and ensure the photon to be indistinguishable. Several ways will enable the generation photon, and two commonly used strategies are single quantum emitters like quantum dots or defect based colour centre of diamond as well as the heralded photon source using nonlinear optics. This proposal will leverage III-V semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), which are the fastest quantum emitters known and can produce photons at rates exceeding GHz. The advantage of III-V semiconductor devices lies in their advanced photonic patterning capabilities, which allow for the creation of complex integrated photonic circuits. Like other platforms of quantum technologies nowadays, quantum photonics also face the difficulty of scaling. Fundamental issues with the generation and routing of single photons in quantum photonic circuits result in photon loss and information processing errors. For quantum dot, the most well-studied structures are vertical emission with open cavity design, which means it will be reliable to make a quantum dot with high quality, but it still leaves challenges of scalable manufacture of multiple quantum dots with similar properties as well as minimising noises when we integrate the quantum dots into photonic devices. This project will face these challenges and achieve the scalability of manufacture of the quantum dot based photonic devices.

The correct function of all cells in the human body depends on the fact that they are internally divided in to discrete compartments. This ensures that biochemical reactions can occur specifically and efficiently (such as the synthesis of new proteins, their modification and processing) . It also means that the cell requires a means to communicate between compartments and to transport material between them (for example for sequential processing of a newly synthesized hormone in to its final state as occurs for insulin). We study the process by which material is moved between compartments and the mechanisms by which these carriers moving between them are transported. Key questions are centred on the mechanisms that ensure that compartments remain distinct (?compartment identity?) as well as the way in which specific ?cargo? is selected for transport but other cargo excluded or removed if incorporated by mistake. Our hypothesis, which is built on very solid foundations from our own work as well as that of others, is that the sorting of cargo within these structures is inherently linked to the motors that drive their movement. Specific motors exist to move these carrier vesicles in one direction or another. We propose (and have evidence that) motors are coupled to distinct cargoes. Applying force to different cargos using motors of opposing polarity would segregate these cargoes within a structure in to discrete domains. Thus, we would generate a motor-dependent sortig of cargo to be directed in one direction versus another. We propose to use our experience of advanced microscopy to test these ideas in living cells and to correlate both the movement and morphology of carriers with these sorting events. These experiments should lead to a clear understanding of the mechanism by which cargo sorting occurs. Building on a very strong existing collaboration, we wish to integrate two membrane trafficking approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis and to use this synergistic approach to provide a fuller understanding of the general mechanisms at work. This approach is likely to have significant implications for the mechanisms of membrane trafficking in both normal and disease states.

Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/how-we-fund-studentships/. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.

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