About the project
In this project you will contribute to the design and numerical simulation of advanced photonic devices tailored for quantum applications, working in close collaboration with fabricators and experimentalists. We can also offer a project that combines modelling with experiments if you have the required skills.
The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.
We are looking for a PhD student to join our interdisciplinary team of students, postdocs, and senior researchers developing chip-based, microscale optics for advancing quantum technologies.
Many quantum technologies, such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, often rely on optics for the preparation, transmission, and read-out of quantum states. If we want to scale up the quantum information processing power of these devices, we therefore need to integrate a range of optical components onto the chip.
Potential areas of research include:
- integrated optical waveguides and large area Bragg gratings: Investigate the incorporation of tilted Bragg gratings to couple light out of integrated waveguides and form beams of well-defined shape and polarisation for interaction with stationary trapped quantum particles (eg atoms or ions). The light can be used to laser cool the particles and/or for optical manipulation of their internal quantum states
- integrated photon collectors: Similar devices as above can be designed to collect photons emitted from trapped particles, either to read out their quantum state, or for coupling photons into optical fibres for long-distance transmission and the generation of remote quantum entanglement
If you have an interest in photonics, quantum technology, and computer-based modelling, you would be highly suitable for this project.
You will benefit from our world-leading expertise in these fields and enjoy working in a highly supportive environment in our group and collaboration with partner groups across the University of Southampton and around the country.
