The Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics group at the Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands) has an open PhD student position on integrated quantum photonics.

Single photons, i.e. single quanta of the electromagnetic field, enable new paradigms for quantum communication and optical quantum computing. Recent advances in nanophotonics enable the efficient generation and detection of single photons on a chip, opening the way to scalable optical quantum processing systems. In particular, nanophotonic cavities, integrated with solid-state quantum emitters, allow the directional control of spontaneous emission and thereby efficient integrated single-photon sources. However, the control over the timing of the emission and over the temporal shape of the emitted photons is also needed to fully exploit the potential of photonic quantum information processing. Recently, we have demonstrated a novel method to control the emitter-photon coupling rate and the photon lifetime on ps timescales without directly perturbing the emitter’s coherent evolution [1]. This finally opens the way to the real-time control of spontaneous emission, including the creation of entanglement between excitons and photons.

Project description

The selected candidate will perform fundamental research at the interface between nanophotonics and quantum optics. He/she will conceive solid-state nanophotonic structures based on photonic crystals with embedded semiconductor quantum dots and will use them to experimentally investigate the ultrafast control of spontaneous emission and Rabi oscillation using ps optical pulses. Specific goals include the demonstration of the shaping of the temporal waveform of a single photon on the sub-100 ps scale, and of the on/off switching of the lasing oscillation in a microcavity laser by the control of the emitter-photon interaction rate.

Requirements

We welcome applications from candidates with a Master degree in physics with top marks and with a background and interest in optics or photonics. Candidates must prove a strong attitude towards experimental physics and the drive and capacity to tackle different aspects of a complex problem with large independence.

Application

Please apply through this link:

http://jobs.tue.nl/en/vacancy/phd-studentship-on-integrated-quantum-photonics-223437.html

Candidates are urged to apply as soon as possible, as selection will start immediately.

References:

[1] Jin et al., “Ultrafast nonlocal control of spontaneous emission”, Nature Nanotechnology, 9, 886 (2014)