1 PhD position Adaptive Quantum Optics in Netherlands | University of Twente

Quantum optics has given us ground-breaking insights in the most fundamental nature of light. In the flourishing field of nanophotonics, intricate nanostructures are being employed to control light in all its aspects. As a PhD candidate, you will work with a bright quantum light source and perform adaptive optical experiments to realize, e.g., novel 4-port quantum gates. Once this has been demonstrated, extension to more complex linear circuits and the use of other non-classical light should be straightforward. As the candidate for this position, you will work within one of the world’s largest nanotechnology research institutes MESA+; and it’s the largest research institute in this field in the Netherlands. A total of 525 researchers work together on cutting-edge research at the highest level.

Quantum optics

Where nanophotonics and quantum optics meet, a fountain of new fundamental scientific advances and applications is expected. Currently, however, progress in this promising field is hindered by unavoidable disorder in nanostructures. Disorder leads to random light scattering and scrambling of optical phases for which quantum states are particularly vulnerable. In quantum optics, many fundamental concepts such as the Einstein-Podolsky-Rozen argument, entanglement, squeezing and quantum information processing units are being addressed with sometimes complex optical circuits. We intend to use adaptive elements to program such experiments into complex photonic structures such as random-scattering media or integrated waveguides. We can apply two types of adaptivity: 1) Using a He* ion beam to gently change photonic structures such as in [Hui12a] and 2) using the high number of adaptive elements of a spatial light modulator to change the phases of many parallel input channels [Hui12b] to program quantum interference. An important application that we are developing is quantum-secure readout of a physically key [Goo13, Sko13], which might lead to a practical identification means (“Quantum Credit Card”).

Your supervisor

Dr. (Pepijn) Pinkse, associate professor and program leader of the Strategic Research Orientation “Applied Nanophotonics” at MESA+ has received a NWO VICI grant to develop “Adaptive Quantum Optics”. Pepijn Pinkse wants to show that advanced optical methods can counteract disorder even at the level of single quantum particles. Even better, by exploiting disorder, photonic networks can be built that promise fascinating breakthroughs ranging from quantum pattern recognition to quantum simulations. An elegant application is tentatively called the “Quantum Credit Card”, featuring an unclonable nanophotonic material. Beyond fundamental interest, the Quantum Credit Card has the potential to become the 2nd every-day-life application of quantum optics after the laser.

References

[Hui12a] Photonic-Crystal Waveguides with Disorder: Measurement of a Band-Edge Tail in the Density of States, S.R. Huisman, G. Ctistis, S. Stobbe, A.P. Mosk, J.L. Herek, A. Lagendijk, P. Lodahl, W.L. Vos & P.W.H. Pinkse, Phys. Rev. B 86, 155154 (2012)

[Hui12b] Controlling single-photon Fock-state propagation through opaque scattering materials, T.J. Huisman, S.R. Huisman, A.P. Mosk, and P.W.H. Pinkse, arXiv:1210.8388

[Goo13] Quantum-Secure Authentication with a Classical Key S.A. Goorden, M. Horstmann, A.P. Mosk, B. Škorić & P.W.H. Pinkse, arXiv:1303.0142

[Sko13] Security of Quantum-Readout PUFs against quadrature based challenge estimation attacks B. Škorić, A.P. Mosk & P.W.H. Pinkse, eprint.iacr.org/2013/084

Requirements

We are looking for a M.Sc. in experimental physics or related and with strong interest in quantum optics.

Applications should be sent to:

Complex Photonic Systems (COPS)

Attn. of Ms. Nilda Rijpma

University of Twente

P.O. Box 217

NL-7500 AE Enschede

The Netherlands

Incomplete or mass-mailed applications will not be considered.

However, complete applications including your resume, list of grades, and a short motivation why you want to join our group, will receive our fullest attention.

Conditions of employment

We offer a very challenging NWO-funded position in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. As a PhD candidate you will be offered a full-time (38 hours/week) position for four years, after which you should have completed your PhD thesis. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2083,-- in the first year to € 2664,-- in the final year plus a holiday allowance (8%), an end-year bonus (8.3% of the annual salary) and a number of additional benefits. The University of Twente provides excellent campus facilities, and actively supports professional and personal development.

Organisation

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and more than 1100 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.