12.03.24 -- Explore Quantum Computing & Nanotech: Hands-On Learning, Control, And Systems

Until recently, quantum computing and quantum science have not been the primary focus of many dedicated educational laboratories. However, working with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers offers an exciting opportunity to change that. This approach enables students to directly engage with and manipulate the electron spin of an NV center, functioning as a qubit.

Active feedback control can be accomplished in either a closed-loop system or an open-loop system, using various combinations of software and hardware, depending on the demands of the experiment. Mad City Labs’ position sensor — accurate to less-than-a-nanometer precision — can be applied to other applications that need sub-nanometer resolution.

Through a deep knowledge of sensing technologies, technically adept personnel, and experience across a bevy of applications, Mad City Labs helps our customers operate smaller and more cost-effectively than any competitor. We want you to say, “show me what you have done,” and “tell me how you can make this work for my application.”

Navigating nanopositioner specifications from various vendors poses challenges due to differing definitions and units. Understanding the story behind these metrics is crucial for real-world applications. Here, we explore the significance of specifications like closed-loop resolution and methods such as Atomic Force Microscopy for accurate verification.

Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are highly versatile instruments that enable researchers to characterize surfaces with subnanometer precision, providing critical insights into material properties. Remarkably, researchers can construct their own AFMs for as little as $30,000 by utilizing readily available off-the-shelf components.

The Nano-MTA Series are piezo nanopositioning mirror tip/tilt actuators. With nanoradian resolution, the Nano-MTA Series is ideal for applications involving laser beam steering, tracking, and scanning. Proprietary PicoQ® technology provides repeatable position measurement under closed-loop control. 

The SPM-M kit is a do-it-yourself atomic force microscope (AFM). The SPM-M kit produces a high performance, resonant probe AFM suitable for both research and teaching environments. It includes the MadPLL® controller, 3 axes of closed loop nanopositioning, resonant probes and AFMView™2 software. A wide range of AFM accessories are also available.