PhD Studentship: Solid-State Single Photon Sources for Quantum Sensing

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Professor Gin Jose – g.jose@leeds.ac.uk

Co-supervisor name(s)

Dr Almut Beige – a.beige@leeds.ac.uk

Project summary 

Single photon sources are an important requirement for many quantum technology applications. For example, currently the most successful single photon sources are those produced using atom-cavity systems, quantum dots and colour centres in diamond crystals. They usually operate in the optical regime and are suitable for applications in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing etc. However, room-temperature solid-state single photon sources which operate in the telecom wavelength regime and do not require cryogenic cooling systems are still difficult to realise. The objective of this project is to theoretically and experimentally investigate materials that can produce single photons in the near-infrared wavelength regime (1500-1600 nm) where there is lots of interest, especially for applications in quantum communication and quantum sensing. The materials investigated will include rare earth-doped materials that can be prepared using a laser-based manufacturing process or chemical methods. A key challenge for long-term applications of photonic qubits is the capability to generate large numbers of single photons with identical quantum properties. Increasing the level of indistinguishability of single photons optically requires designing and fabricating advanced photonic circuits and setting up experiments to test and verify them. As a first application, the single photon source will be used to test such a device. In addition, we will consider bio-sensing applications. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the Leeds spinout company NIQS Tech. Ltd.

The project will be multidisciplinary with a combination of theoretical quantum optics and experimental photonics components. It will involve developing the theoretical framework for the generation of single photon on a substrate surface doped with rare earth ions.  Early collaborative work in related research has already been carried out and some of it is currently being published [N. Furtak-Wells, B. Dawson, T. Mann, G. Jose and A. Beige, arXiv:2305.18826 (2023), B. Dawson, N. Furtak-Wells, T. Mann, G. Jose and A. Beige, Front. Photon. 2, 700737 (2021)]. A laser plasma-based doping process developed by the supervisor’s research group [J.  Chandrappan et.al. Sci. Rep. 5, 14037 (2015), J. Chandrappan et.al., Optical Materials Express 5, 2849 (2015).] is the underlying method that will be utilised to carry out the preparation of materials for the preparation of the single photon source. In addition, the project requires further surface photonic circuit design, fabrication using femtosecond lasers, and clean room processing to achieve the ability to realise indistinguishable photon sources. The experimental plan in the first phase of the project will involve the following components:

1. Design of a doped glass/silica on silicon-based emitter
2. Characterisation of the materials using electron microscopy and laser spectroscopic methods
3. Design and building of an experimental setup to characterise single photon sources in the wavelength range >1500nm
4. Demonstration of the presence of single photons through measurements

In the second phase, the student will study the application of the source such as single photon sources for non-invasive biosensing, e.g., for non-invasive glucose biosensing that NIQS Technology Ltd is pursuing. The objective is to develop a platform sensor technology that can be utilised for the sensing of a range of biomarkers and biomolecules.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

First or Upper Second Class UK Bachelor (Honours) or equivalent

Subject Area

Materials Science, Quantum Physics

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