PhD on A Network of Fibre Optic based Quantum Sensors – NewFOQuS (NWO m-domain)

Introduction

The Multi Material Optical Fibre (MMOF) and High Capacity Optical Transmission (HCOT) Lab’s in the Electro-Optics Communication (ECO) group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), are recruiting a PhD candidate to research novel optical fibre post processing for quantum sensing. The MMOF lab has state of the art fibre processing equipment (Vytran GPX3400), tunable laser sources for high precision spectroscopy and photon pair generation, and single photon detection with coincidence counting.

The electro-optical communications (ECO) group in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at TU/e is a globally recognised, leading scientific and applied research group focused on exploiting light for communication and quantum systems. We apply our knowledge in collaboration with other scientists at TU/e and more recently within the newly formed Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) to develop the required solution for many of the relevant challenges in communication and sensing systems. The group expertise spans from the fundamentals and physics of photonics, optics, the design and fabrication of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), systems engineering to exploiting optical linear/non-linear signal processing to unlock fiber capacity and relevant higher layer protocols required to operate modern optical communication and quantum networks.

Based in the purposely built FLUX building at the TU/e Campus, the ECO group has access to 300m2 of labs for conducting experimental research and is supported by a state-of-the-art 800m2 cleanroom. With greater than 100 group members including 13 tenured scientists, 79 PhD candidates, 16 postdocs and senior researchers, the ECO group is a vibrant and exciting research group perfectly suited for talented and ambitious scientists. The group is active in spin outs and starts-ups (e.g. CubiQ, Micro-align, PhotonX Networks and LuXisens Technology) and carries out bilateral industrial research with major stakeholders in the communications industry.

Job Description

Quantum sensing is revolutionising the scientific landscape through precision measurement beyond what is classically possible. To further develop quantum sensing, it is becoming necessary to produce scalable compact sensors which can be deployed in a network, and which can be remotely entangled to further enhance the sensitivity limit.  Within the NewFOQuS project, we will develop Optical Fibre Microknots (OFMs) coupled to an atomic vapour to form an Atom Optical Fibre Microknot (AOFM) exploiting the enhanced light matter interaction in confined waveguide geometries for quantum sensing. AOFMs will be combined with two photon Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference for quantum sensing of two sensory data parameters: magnetic fields from the Faraday effect and rotation sensing from the Sagnac effect. Quantum sensing will be through the measurement of the change in visibility or shift of a HOM interference dip. In addition to developing single sensors, this project will use these sensors to develop the initial stages of a quantum sensing network by creating continuous variable entanglement between two or more sensors through a shared squeezed state distributed via an optical fibre network.

In this research project, the PhD candidate will address challenges around the following areas:

1. Fabrication of Optical fibre microcavities (OFM) using fibre tapering.
2. Incorporating OFMs in an ultra high vacuum (UHV) environment and coupling to atomic vapour (AOFM).
3. Use existing Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) two photon interference and coincidence counting setups for quantum sensing in AOFM for magnetic field and rotation sensing.
4. Creating continuous variable entanglement through coupling squeezed light state to two AOFM’s to demonstrate quantum sensing advantage.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in photonics, electro, applied physics or similar.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Desirable Applicant Competencies

The candidate would ideally have a theoretical understanding and/or experimental experience in one or more of the following areas:

1. Optical fibre theory, practical handling and fibre processing (e.g. splicing, tapering, etc).
2. UHV chamber design and assembly.
3. Atomic vapours and high resolution laser spectroscopy.
4. Experimental Quantum Optics (e.g. coincidence counting, Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) two photon interference, photon pair generation).
5. Python for lab automation and control.

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Tom Bradley, Assistant Professor (t.d.bradley@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Dr Chigo Okonkwo, Professor (cokonkow@tue.nl).  

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• A written scientific report in English (MSc thesis, traineeship report or scientific paper).

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.