PhD Studentship: Interfacing Semiconductor Quantum Dots With Alkali-Atom-Based Quantum Memories

PhD Supervisor: Dr Patrick Ledingham

Supervisory Team: Dr Patrick Ledingham

Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.

Quantum photonic networks enable powerful technologies like quantum computing, unprecedented sensing capability, and guaranteed secure communication, operating at high bandwidth and in ambient conditions. This PhD project, in the Southampton group of Dr Patrick M Ledingham, concerns the development of a quantum optical memory – a device that stores and recalls on-demand quantum photonic states – to allow for synchronisation capability that will be crucial to scale up a future quantum photonic network.

The project will explore warm alkali vapours to develop a quantum optical memory that:

1. operates at near or within the telecommunication C-band wavelength range;
2. stores and recalls photons of a bandwidth in the GHz range;
3. operates with near-unit efficiency and with near-zero noise contributions on the output.

This unique capability enables you to enact effective storage and recall of single photons emitted from sources based on semiconductor quantum dots. This capability is a much sought-after one within the quantum photonics community and would pave the way for disruptive quantum technologies such as secure quantum communications and photonic quantum computers.

The approach will be based on protocols and techniques of the off-resonant cascaded absorption memory and atomic frequency comb memory, pioneered in part by the group leader and supervisor Dr Patrick M Ledingham. The candidate will explore combining novel optical pumping and techniques to overcome Doppler dephasing mechanisms. 

The project will enable the candidate to develop numerous practical experimental skills, such as laser spectroscopy, optical pumping, spectral hole burning, quantum and non-linear optics, cryogenics, RF electronics, programming experimental controls, and single photon counting. You will present your work at national and international conferences, and there are plenty of chances for local and international collaboration.

If you are interested, please contact the supervisor for more information: Patrick Ledingham p.ledingham@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 31 August 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD iMR”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor.

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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