PhD Stduentship: Design and simulation of single-photon quantum devices
Supervisor: Dr Peter Horak
Co-supervisor: Prof Peter Smith
Project description
This PhD project in the Computational Nonlinear Optics Group of the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) will investigate various options for single-photon quantum devices and is part of a £120 million national network to develop future quantum technologies. Quantum physics has been shown to offer unique capabilities for information processing and sensing. However, quantum states (photons, atoms, etc.) are also extremely susceptible to interaction with the environment and the main engineering challenge is thus to isolate quantum systems from background noise while simultaneously maintaining strong coupling between the quantum systems of interest.
Here we will focus on the theoretical and numerical investigation of devices for single or few photon processing and photon-atom interfacing. Specific project goals could include: (i) Efficient resonator-based photon-atom coupling; (ii) Single photon trapping and releasing on demand; (iii) Low-loss fibre gratings for photon gating; (iv) Single-photon wavelength conversion.
This project will be in close collaboration with experiments in the Planar Optical Materials Group and at partner groups in the nationwide quantum technology networks.
A fully funded PhD place on this project is available for UK applicants. Students from overseas who have secured external funding are also welcome to apply. Students with a background in physics and an interest in nonlinear and quantum optics would be a good fit to this exciting project area. An interest in theoretical and numerical modelling is essential for this project, and previous programming experience is beneficial. A visit to meet us is recommended and phone / Skype interviews are also possible if necessary.
Please contact Dr Peter Horak (peh@orc.soton.ac.uk) for further details.
The PhD programme
The ORC PhD comprises a solid education for a research career. The structured first year involves attending our training programme running in parallel with carrying out your research project. This provides a smooth transition from your degree course towards the more open-ended research that takes place in the following years under the guidance of your project supervisors. We expect the vast majority of our students to present their work at international conferences and to write papers in leading academic journals as their research progresses. Students will emerge from the PhD with skills at the forefront of future photonics research and will benefit from the many opportunities to interact with the wider community of PhD students across the Southampton Campus through academic, sporting and cultural events.
The ORC is the leading photonics research institute in the UK and possibly in Europe. It comprises state-of-the-art cleanrooms for optical fibre, planar photonics, silicon and bio-photonics fabrication and over 80 laboratories. The University of Southampton also hosts a huge and vibrant research community in computer modelling which benefits from its high performance computing cluster Iridis, one of the largest supercomputers in the UK. A PhD at the ORC has enabled our past graduates to make successful careers in academia, in national scientific laboratories, and as scientists or business leaders in industry. Our research papers, patents, spin-off companies and these successful alumni taken together place Southampton amongst the top institutes worldwide.
Key facts
Entry requirements: first or upper second-class degree or equivalent
Closing date:applications should be received no later than 31 August 2016 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.
Duration: typically three years (full-time)
Funding: full tuition plus, for UK students, an enhanced stipend of £18,000 tax-freeper annum for up to 3.5 years. www.orc.southampton.ac.uk/phd_funding.html
Assessment: eight-and 16-month reports and viva voce determine progression to PhD; progression reports, viva voce and thesis examination
Start date: typically September
Applying: www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html
Closing Date: 31 Aug 2016
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)