Investigating copper surface treatments for cryogenic quantum sensor testing
Chiara Salemi, Professor
Physics
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
Low-temperature experiments—such as many axion dark matter searches, quantum computing, and condensed matter studies—require an exceptional understanding of the materials used in and around the experiment. Insights into the behavior of materials at such low temperatures are necessary to understand signal backgrounds, ensuring effective thermalization, and minimizing parasitic heat loads. In this project, we aim to investigate the surface properties of copper and other materials at millikelvin temperatures. Depending on interest and need, a range of material properties will be studied.
Role: You will design and build a small test stand that will be cooled to cryogenic temperatures and can measure multiple material properties. You will work directly with a sub-Kelvin dilution refrigerator, use CAD software, construct your own experimental setup, develop measurement protocols, and perform measurements on a variety of materials and surface treatments. The results of your work will inform the lab's future cryogenic design strategy and have a direct impact on ongoing efforts in dark matter detection, quantum sensing, and neutrino experiments.
Qualifications: Required: good communication skills, ability to work well in teams, careful attention to detail
Desired but not essential: laboratory experience, CAD experience
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Alain Fauquex, Graduate Student
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Related website: https://physics.berkeley.edu/research-faculty/salemi-group/