Johannes Pollanen

In our experimental research group at MSU, the [Laboratory for Hybrid Quantum Systems (LHQS)](http://www.hybridquantumlab.com/), we are exploring the fundamental physics and potential quantum information (QI) applications of low-dimensional electron systems (electrons on helium, graphene, and semiconductor 2d systems), superconducting circuit based quantum bits (qubits), and color-center defect qubits in diamond.  Broadly we are interested in creating hybrid quantum system by bringing together materials or devices with a variety of interacting degrees of freedom.

Low temperatures (< 10mK) and high magnetic fields (up to 14T) are required to produce the exotic quantum properties that we investigate and our devices and samples are prepared using modern nanofabrication techniques available in the [Keck Facility](http://kmf.pa.msu.edu/KMF/Facility/KMFAbout.asp) at MSU. We use a diverse set of experimental techniques, including high field magneto-transport and advanced microwave and surface acoustic wave techniques, to interrogate these fascinating quantum materials and reveal their properties.

Before joining the Physics and Astronomy faculty at Michigan State University, [Johannes was an IQIM postdoctoral scholar](http://iqim.caltech.edu/profile/johannes-pollanen/?portfolioID=11574) at the [Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM)](http://iqim.caltech.edu/) at the California Institute of Technology working with [Prof. Jim Eisenstein.](http://www.its.caltech.edu/~je/) At Caltech, he studied the exotic properties and many-body quantum states of single and bilayer 2d electron systems in ultra-clean semiconductor heterostructures grown via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Recently, [Johannes and collaborators demonstrated a method for controlling the orientation of a class of 2d electronic liquid crystals known as the quantum Hall nematics and a highlight of the work can be found here.](http://iqim.caltech.edu/2015/11/20/eisenstein-group-demonstrates-method-to-control-orientation-of-exotic-quantum-states/)
Johannes earned his Ph.D. in 2012 from Northwestern University where he worked with [Prof. Bill Halperin](http://www.physics.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/core-faculty/william-halperin.html) in the [Low Temperature Physics Group](http://spindry.phys.northwestern.edu/) to understand the properties of complex many-particle quantum systems and engineer novel quantum mechanical forms of matter. [During this time, Johannes discovered a new chiral state of superfluid He, which he stabilized by introducing anisotropic disorder to the superfluid in the form of high porosity silica aerogel.](http://www.nature.com/nphys/journal/v8/n4/full/nphys2246.html)

# Education:
* 2012: Ph.D., Northwestern University;
* 2003: B.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill