James Nicholls

James Nicholls is a Reader (equivalent to Associate Professor) in the Department of Physics at Royal Holloway, University of London, specializing in experimental condensed matter physics with focus on mesoscopic systems and nanotechnology. His research spans electrical transport properties, thermal phenomena in low-dimensional structures, and magnetic properties of 2D materials.

His primary research interests include:

• Electrical transport in semiconductor mesoscopic devices (conductance, tunneling, Coulomb drag)
• Thermal properties of one-dimensional channels (thermopower, thermal conductance)
• Magnetic properties of 2D magnets in graphite hosts
• Many-body effects in clean one-dimensional channels fabricated from two-dimensional electron gases

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in quantum transport phenomena at ultra-low temperatures, with increasing emphasis on graphene-based systems and quantum Hall effect applications. His work demonstrates strong methodological continuity in probing fundamental quantum behaviors through precision nanofabrication and cryogenic measurement techniques, particularly in semiconductor heterostructures and novel 2D materials.

Nicholls has secured significant research funding through three major projects:

• Non-Ergodic Quantum Information Manipulation (2019-2023, EPSRC): As Principal Investigator exploring quantum information applications
• Nanoelectronic based quantum physics (2011-2017, EPSRC): As Co-Investigator developing quantum device technologies
• Novel non-invasive nanoscale magnetometers (2010-2013, NPL): As Principal Investigator creating advanced measurement tools

He has supervised six research projects and maintains active collaborations with the Cavendish Laboratory (Semiconductor Physics group), University of Manchester (graphene fabrication), National Physical Laboratory (quantum Hall effect), Niels Bohr Institute, CEA Saclay, and UNSW.