PhD: Quantum Inteference between Semiconductor Colur Centers

Temporary contract | 48 months (first contract of 14 months) | Belvaux

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Materials department: https://www.list.lu/en/materials/

How will you contribute?

You will be part of the LIST Materials Research and Technology department, where you will carry out your work in the Quantum Materials Group, led by Dr. Florian Kaiser.

Context

Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise the world in many aspects. Quantum colour centres in in wide bandgap semiconductors have recently emerged as a promising platform, since they can incorporate quantum systems, which can be scaled up by industrial processing.

Along these lines, we have recently shown that individual colour centres can be integrated into silicon carbide nanophotonic waveguides with little-to-no degradation of spin-optical coherences.

These finding define the strategy for developing a scalable quantum technology architecture. Our strategy is to establish an on-chip photonic quantum communication link between two colour centres. The idea is to perform photonic interference experiments using on-chip beam-splitters, which enables direct entanglement generation between two separated colour centres. With this milestone demonstration, we strive to kickstart subsequent developments towards a truly scalable distributed quantum computing architecture.

Mission

The objective of this PhD thesis is to demonstrate photonic interference between two colour centres on a silicon carbide photonic chip. By characterising the quality of this interference for the first time, we will be able to clearly define the research direction towards scalable quantum computing architectures.

The initial part of this thesis comprises setting up our new optical cryostat platform, which is based on a combination of standard confocal microscopy, and direct fibre-to-chip coupling. In the second step, you will benefit from our ongoing activities towards quantum photonic silicon carbide chips in which we generate colour centres in waveguides and on-chip beam-splitters. You will determine the ideal wavelength tuning mechanisms for colour centres, considering both electric tuning (Stark shift) and mechanical tuning (laser-induced strain). Subsequently, you will characterise these photonic quantum devices and identify suitable ones for the interference experiments between two colour centres. This then will allow you to implement on-chip two-photon interference between separated colour centres, including a demonstration of photon-mediated entanglement generation between two colour centres, i.e., the central building block of a distributed quantum computing architecture.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague?

Education

• MSc degree in physics, quantum technology, materials science, or electronic engineering

Experience and skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills e.g., in publications, reports, and/or presentations

• Collaborative skills, initiative, result oriented, organisation, and capacity to work in an interdisciplinary environment

• Team spirit is a critical requirement.

• Mandatory: Demonstrated experience with quantum optics, at least within a BSc/MSc thesis project.

• Ability to effectively and reliably coordinate with the supervisor and multiple collaborators

Language skills

• English (proficient)

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills

• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce

• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance

• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

• A scientific CV with contact details

• List of publications (and patents, if applicable)

• Contact details of at least one reference

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes (optional), as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

PhD additional conditions:

• Supervisor at LIST: Dr. Florian KAISER ( florian.kaiser@list.lu )

• Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg

• PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Candidates shall be available for starting their position in summer/autumn 2024. Please note the universities costs are at the charge of the student.

Your master diploma must be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html