Bryan Hemingway

Background

About Bryan Hemingway

I have a PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics with expert knowledge in strongly correlated electron systems, quantum dot research, dynamic impurity model systems, spintronics, and atomic, molecular, and optical physics. I currently work as a research physicist researching and developing atomic clock design at the US Naval Observatory. My personal research philosophy consists of two stages : phenomenon and mastery. The first is proof of phenomenon. This stage consists of identifying that a phenomenon has occurred and heavily relies on "repeatability." Along with this experimental observation, one needs to be highly critical of the interpretation. The second stage is proof of mastery. This stage justifies the interpretation. Prediction drives the ability to alter the phenomenon in a meaningful manner. In doing so, we demonstrate mastery over the phenomenon. During graduate school I researched dynamic transitions in strongly correlated electron systems within single electron transistors. This experience gave me a hands on opportunity to learn nano-electronic fabrication techniques such as electron beam lithography and thin film deposition. Given the underlying energy scales of quantum dots, I operated and maintained sub-Kelvin crygogenic conditions using a helium dilution refrigerator and established measurements for picoamp current detection. Throughout graduate school I was an active voting member of the Graduate Student Governance Association for three years and graduated with honors. As a postdoctoral researcher, I have researched the field of spintronics which aims to transmit information using the quantum mechanical "spin" of an electron instead of charge current. I have experience working with both metal and semiconductor spintronic devices. This research has allowed me to operate and upkeep ultra-high vacuum systems for wafer bonding and low impurity metal depositions as well as further improving my experiences with cryogenics and nanoscale fabrication techniques. After my academic career, I spent two years as a Scientific and Engineering Technical Assistant at the Micro Technology Office at DARPA. I worked with program managers on the STARNet program to develop the computing past traditional transistors as well as serving as assistance program manager overseeing the company's corporate contract. At this point in my career, I was introduced to quantum research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. I assisted in starting the DARPA ACES program (chip scale atomic clock) and the AMBIIENT program (atomic magnetometer).