Dr Michael Thompson FHEA

Senior Lecturer in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

Research Overview

I am currently the Lancaster PI for SuperICQ, an EU Pathfinder Open funded project developing superconducting electronics using graphene Josephson junctions. I previously held a Royal Academy of Engineering Research fellowship (“Graphene transistors for cryogenic electronics“) and my current research interests are in developing electronics that operate at cryogenic temperatures using 2D materials. Cryogenic electronics already enable many cutting-edge technologies: from medical sensors and materials characterisation to deep space communications and dark matter searches. As an enabling technology, cryogenics electronics are also essential for building scalable quantum computers. I have also been involved with the “European Microkelvin Collaboration” (EMP) and the “Quantum Enhanced Superfluid Technologies for Dark Matter and Cosmology” (QUEST-DMC) project, which aims to utilise quantum technologies to enable dark matter searches and study early universe evolution.

In general, I am interested in the use of new or unconventional materials that can enable new technologies or improved performance of existing technologies. I began my research career developing optoelectronic devices; lasers, light emitting diodes and photodetectors using narrow bandgap semiconductors and nanowires. Subsequently, I moved into low temperature physics to study quantum transport in 2D materials, developing ultra-sensitive magnetometers using graphene Josephson junctions and creating a new cryogenic platform with industrial collaborator, Oxford Instruments (OI). I also collaborated with the National Graphene Institute and the EU’s Graphene Flagship (H2020).

visit to Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland
Other

Cheltenham Science Festival 2025
Festival/Exhibition/Concert

1st FST Fellowships Masterclass
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2024: A quantum view of the invisible universe
Festival/Exhibition/Concert

Royal Society Summer Science 2014
Festival/Exhibition/Concert

Quantum Engineering; the other Industrial Revolution
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar

Superconducting nanowire resonators with circular cross-section.
Oral presentation

Noise characterisation of Graphene junction SQUIDs
Invited talk

Noise characterisation of Graphene junction SQUIDs
Oral presentation

Applied Physics Letters (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Building low-temperature electronics using 2D materials.
Oral presentation

Computing’s cold future
Invited talk

Cross-correlation noise measurements of graphene SQUIDs
Invited talk

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Nano Letters (Journal)
Publication peer-review

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Using 2D-materials for low-temperature electronics
Invited talk

Research Impact Award
Prize (including medals and awards)

Science and Technology Dean’s Award – Excellence in External Engagement and Impact in Science and Technology
Prize (including medals and awards)

Seth Bennett

Seth Bennett

PhD student

Low Temperature Physics, Quantum Nanotechnology

Emily Gamblen

Emily Gamblen

PhD student

Low Temperature Physics, Quantum Nanotechnology

  • Low Temperature Physics
  • Quantum Nanotechnology
  • Quantum Technology Centre