ERC FUNDED PROJECTS

Atmospheric aerosol particles impact Earth’s climate, by directly scattering sunlight and indirectly by affecting cloud properties. The largest uncertainties in climate change projections are associated with the atmospheric aerosol system that has been altered by anthropogenic activities. A major source of that uncertainty involves the formation of secondary particles and cloud condensation nuclei from natural and anthropogenic emissions of volatile compounds. This research challenge persists despite significant efforts within recent decades. I will build a research group that aims to resolve the atmospheric oxidation processes that convert volatile trace gases to particle precursor vapours, clusters and new aerosol particles. We will create novel measurement techniques and utilize the tremendous potential of mass spectrometry for detection of i) particle precursor vapours ii) oxidants, both conventional but also recently discovered stabilized Criegee intermediates, and, most importantly, iii) newly formed clusters. These methods and instrumentation will be applied for resolving the initial steps of new particle formation on molecular level from oxidation to clusters and stable aerosol particles. To reach these goals, targeted laboratory and field experiments together with long term field measurements will be performed employing the state-of-the-art instrumentation developed. Principal outcomes of this project include i) new experimental methods and techniques vital for atmospheric research and a deep understanding of ii) oxidation pathways producing aerosol particle precursors, iii) the initial molecular steps of new particle formation and iv) mechanisms of growth of freshly formed clusters toward larger sizes, particularly in the crucial size range of a few nanometers. The conceptual understanding obtained during this project will open multiple new research horizons from oxidation chemistry to Earth system modeling.

1 953 790 €

Start date: 2017-02-01, End date: 2022-01-31

Inverse problems research concentrates on the mathematical theory and practical interpretation of indirect measurements. Applications are found in virtually every research field involving scientific, medical, or industrial imaging and mathematical modelling. Familiar examples include X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Inverse problems methods make it possible to employ important advances in modern mathematics in a vast number of application areas. Also, applications inspire new questions that are both mathematically deep and have a close connection to other sciences. This has made inverse problems research one of the most important and topical fields of modern applied mathematics. The research team proposes to study fundamental mathematical questions in the theory of inverse problems. Particular emphasis will be placed on questions involving the interplay of mathematical analysis, partial differential equations, and Riemannian geometry. A major topic in the research programme is the famous inverse conductivity problem due to Calderón forming the basis of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), an imaging modality proposed for early breast cancer detection and nondestructive testing of industrial parts. The geometric version of the Calderón problem is among the outstanding unsolved questions in the field. The research team will attack this and other aspects of the problem field, partly based on substantial recent progress due to the PI and collaborators. The team will also work on integral geometry questions arising in Travel Time Tomography in seismic imaging and in differential geometry, building on the solution of the tensor tomography conjecture in two dimensions obtained by the PI and collaborators in 2011. The research will focus on fundamental theoretical issues, but the motivation comes from practical applications and thus there is potential for breakthroughs that may lead to important advances in medical and seismic imaging.

1 041 240 €

Start date: 2012-12-01, End date: 2017-11-30

The superconducting quantum computer has very recently reached the theoretical thresholds for fault-tolerant universal quantum computing and a quantum annealer based on superconducting quantum bits, qubits, is already commercially available. However, several fundamental questions on the way to efficient large-scale quantum computing have to be answered: qubit initialization, extreme gate accuracy, and quantum-level power consumption. This project, QUESS, aims for a breakthrough in the realization and control of dissipative environments for quantum devices. Based on novel concepts for normal-metal components integrated with superconducting quantum nanoelectronics, we experimentally realize in-situ-tunable low-temperature environments for superconducting qubits. These environments can be used to precisely reset qubits at will, thus providing an ideal initialization scheme for the quantum computer. The environment can also be well decoupled from the qubit to allow for coherent quantum computing. Utilizing this base technology, we find fundamental quantum-mechanical limitations to the accuracy and power consumption in quantum control, and realize optimal strategies to achieve these limits in practice. Finally, we build a concept of a universal quantum simulator for non-Markovian open quantum systems and experimentally realize its basic building blocks. This proposal provides key missing ingredients in realizing efficient large-scale quantum computers ultimately leading to a quantum technological revolution, with envisioned practical applications in materials and drug design, energy harvesting, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and internet of things. Furthermore, this project opens fruitful horizons for tunable environments in quantum technology beyond the superconducting quantum computer, for applications of quantum-limited control, for quantum annealing, and for simulators of non-Markovian open quantum systems.

1 949 570 €

Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31

In this project, we develop a microwave nanobolometer invented in the ERC Starting Grant ”Single-Photon Microwave Devices: era of quantum optics outside cavities (SINGLEOUT)” into a proof of concept and carry out a market analysis and partnering with the relevant industrial players in the field. For a successful proof of concept, a self-calibrating function will be implemented into the nanobolometer, providing us with an extremely sensitive and easy-to-use detector for microwave radiation. The new device will be designed, fabricated, and measured. Due to the lack of spectrum analysers operating at cryogenic temperatures, our self-calibrating nanobolometer will provide a must-to-have piece of equipment for R&D facilities working on cryoelectronics and quantum technology. Thus licensing agreements with companies working on cryostats and cryosystems will be pursued. The key performance indicators of our nanobolometer such as detection bandwidth, dynamics range, and sensitivity will be compared with the existing room-temperature technology and a potential market share for our nanobolometer will be mapped. Especially, the opportunities for commercial systems already utilizing cryogenic components such as superconducting filters at cellular phone base stations will be investigated. During this ERC PoC project, also other business opportunities will be studied and possibilities for founding a spin-out company will be actively sought for.

149 838 €

Start date: 2016-12-01, End date: 2018-05-31