The Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics group at the Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands, http://www.phys.tue.nl/psn) has an open PhD student position on solid-state cavity quantum electrodynamics.

Cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) investigates the coupling of single quantum emitters to single photons in optical cavities and has represented one of the most fascinating systems for the study of quantum physics [1]. It enables the full control of the generation, absorption and processing of single photons, and the production of entangled states of photons and atoms, and is therefore of paramount importance in optical quantum information processing. Solid-state cQED systems, for example based on semiconductor nanocavities coupled to single quantum dots (QDs), are particularly interesting for their potential scalability and integration. However, so far the progress in solid-state cQED has been hampered by the very limited degree of control, due to the ultrafast time scales (ps) and subwavelength spatial scales, which make the control of the QD-photon interaction in real time a formidable challenge. Recently, we have demonstrated a novel method to control the QD-photon coupling rate and the photon lifetime on ps timescales without directly perturbing the emitter's coherent evolution [2]. This finally opens the way to the real-time control of solid-state cQED, including the creation of entanglement between QD excitons and photons.

Project description

The selected candidate will perform fundamental research at the interface between nanophotonics and quantum optics. He/she will conceive and fabricate solid-state nanophotonic structures based on photonic crystals with embedded QDs 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 10 ps timescale, and of the on/off switching of the lasing oscillation in a microcavity laser by the control of the emitter-photon interaction rate. The project will be supervised by Prof. A. Fiore

References:

[1] See the 2012 Nobel prize lecture of  Prof. S. Haroche, http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2012/haroche-facts.html

[2] Jin et al.,
"Ultrafast nonlocal control of spontaneous emission", Arxiv:1311.2233 (http://arxiv.org/abs/1311.2233)

Job 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.

Conditions of employment

The PhD positions are for four years, during which you will be employed by the FOM Foundation and participate in all the benefits that FOM offers. For details visit http://www.fom.nl.

You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers. You will get a contract for 4 years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 2,664 euro gross per month.The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%. 

You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with FOM. 
A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of 10% of your time). The conditions of employment of the FOM-foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). 
General information about working at FOM can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'FOM job interview code' applies to this position. 

Information and application

Please send us your application by using the ‘apply now button on the TU/e website

• Prof.dr. A.(Andrea) Fiore
• Department of Applied Physics
• Group Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics
• www.phys.tue.nl/psn
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, The Netherlands

If interested, please send an application letter, CV, grade listing and names and contact details of at least one senior scientist able and willing to provide references.

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