Jason Twamley
BA(mod) in Theoretical Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (1986)
Professor Jason Twamley is a leading researcher in the theoretical physics of quantum science and technology with a particular emphasis on hybrid quantum systems – systems where one marries together different types of quantum systems to achieve an overall functionality which no one subsystem possesses. Professor Twamley originally trained as a lecturer in Ireland and there pioneered many European Union projects focusing on fullerene and diamond based quantum technologies and won a number of EU STREPS and Integrated Projects.
In 2005, Professor Twamley was appointed as the Professor of Quantum Information Science at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and took part in the national efforts there to develop quantum computation and quantum technologies in the Australian Research Council Centers of Excellence in Quantum Computer Technology (CQCT), and Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). During that period he developed expertise in superconducting diamond, nanomechanical, magnetic and atomic quantum technologies. His particular focus is on developing quantum sensors where quantum effects can provide society with more precise and functional sensors for use in a variety of settings, examples being magnetometers and inertial sensors. Together with Professor Gavin Brennen he conceived of a new field of quantum technology: quantum magneto-mechanics where one uses magnetic fields for levitating and trapping quantum objects. He has recently commenced an experimental program focused on quantum magneto-mechanics which is a research thrust of the Unit.
Professor Twamley has strong research collaborations with Germany and the diamond research groups of Prof Jelezko and Wrachtrup, and in China with the groups of Profs Peng Xue and Mang Feng and Keyu Xia.
Professional Experience
- Director of the Macquarie University Research Centre for Diamond Science and Technology (2019-2020)
- Director of the Macquarie University Research Centre for Quantum Science and Technology (2008-2015).
- Professor of Quantum Information Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (2005-2020)
- Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Ireland (2002-2005)
Awards
- Max Planck Guest Professor at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany (2012).
- European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to Imperial College London, UK working with Prof Sir P. Knight and Prof T. Kibble (1996-1997).
- Fulbright Fellowship for PhD study in the USA (1987)
Select Publications
- Room-temperature coherent coupling of single spins in diamond
Gaebel, T., Domhan, M., Popa, I., Wittmann, C., Neumann, P., Jelezko, F., Rabeau, J.R., Stavrias, N., Greentree, A.D., Prawer, S., Meijer, J., Twamley J., Hemmer, P.R. and Wrachtrup, J., Nature Physics 2, 408 (2006). - Quantum register based on coupled electron spins in a room-temperature solid
Neumann, P., Kolesov, R., Naydenov, B., Beck, J., Rempp, F., Steiner, M., Jacques, V., Balasubramanian, G., Markham, M.L., Twitchen, D.J., Pezzagna, S., Meijer, J., Twamley J., Jelezko, F., Wrachtrup, J., Nature Physics 6, 249 (2010). - Observation and control of blinking nitrogen-vacancy centres in discrete nanodiamonds
Bradac, C., Gaebel, T., Naidoo, N., Sellars, M.J., Twamley J., Brown, L.J., Barnard, A.S., Plakhotnik, T., Zvyagin, A.V. and Rabeau, J.R., Nature Nanotechnology 5, 345 (2010) - Magneto-mechanical trapping of micro-diamonds at low pressures
M. C. O'Brien, S. Dunn, J. E. Downes, and J. Twamley, Applied Physics Letters 114, 053103 (2019) - Cavity-free scheme for nondestructive detection of a single optical photon
K. Xia, M. Johnsson, P. Knight, and J. Twamley , Physical Review Letters 103, 150503 (2016).