Postdoc: Cold molecular ions for quantum technologies

Postdoc: Cold molecular ions for quantum technologies

Key words: Ion trapping, laser-cooling, cold molecular ions, molecular quantum state control, frequency-comb laser, high-resolution spectroscopy, quantum logic Location: European Center for Quantum Sciences – CESQ, ISIS, Université de Strasbourg, France Laboratory: Metrology, Trapped Ions and Cold Molecules (METRICOM)  Expected start date: Between April and November 2025 Duration: 24 months Salary: Based on experience   Context: The ability to manipulate atoms and atomic ions at the most fundamental quantum level forms the basis for their application in modern quantum sciences. Achieving the same level of control over molecules would open up exciting new prospects in this field. However, the complex energy-level structure of molecular systems, which makes them so attractive, also poses serious difficulties for their translational cooling, as well as for the preparation, coherent manipulation and detection of their quantum states. In this context, hybrid systems composed of co-trapped atomic and molecular ions are very promising as they combine the high degree of control provided by the atomic ion with the rich energy-level structure of the molecular ion. This structure features numerous transitions with excellent coherence properties for quantum information processing and precision measurements. The team is currently developing a new experiment dedicated to the trapping, cooling and quantum state manipulation of dipolar molecular ions (SrH+) as well as of polyatomic ions. Working environment and missions: The post-doc will work in a dynamic team, with a significant scientific autonomy and responsibilities in daily supervision of the experiment and of one to two PhD students. Within the project, he/she will interact with a number of partners of the group in Strasbourg, Paris and Aarhus (DK) and benefit from in-house technical and theoretical support. The specific tasks will include: ·         The first spectroscopic characterization of SrH+ ions based on action spectroscopy techniques in large bi-species Coulomb crystals. ·         The setting-up of the experiment control program in Python. ·         The implementation of motional-ground-state cooling of SrH+ ions and of quantum logic techniques for the manipulation of their vibrational quantum states. ·         The design and study of experimental methods for sublimating and ionizing polyatomic molecules.   Profile of the candidate: The candidate must have completed a PhD in the field of atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics. Strong experimental skills in laser physics, optics, electronics, instrument control and programming are required. A good team spirit, as well as an advanced knowledge of English, are absolutely necessary.

2025-02-11

Sensing and Metrology