PhD Studentship: Nanophotonic Interfaces for Solid-State Qubits

Quantum information encoding, manipulation, transmission, and detection rely on "quantum emitters," which emit individual quanta of light energy known as photons. These emitters are typically microscopic systems such as atoms, ions, or molecules, but can also be atomic impurities within solid-state materials like diamond or hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), where their transitions between different energy levels result in photon emission [1-4]. Solid-state quantum emitters are crucial for developing compact, scalable devices that excel in speed, size, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. These emitters offer robust, integrable platforms that can be manufactured using existing semiconductor technology, facilitating the transition from laboratory research to practical quantum devices. However, solid-state hosts can degrade the quantum coherence properties of these emitters due to factors such as lattice imperfections, lattice vibrations (phonons), and external electric or magnetic fields that perturb the energy levels and internal spin states of quantum emitters (spin qubits). These factors impede quantum coherence and limit the scalability of solid-state quantum systems for real-world applications.

This PhD project aims to harness the capabilities of nanophotonic interfaces and optomechanical resonators to enhance spin-optic coupling and resist decoherence, with the potential to significantly advance quantum device performance. This work could profoundly impact quantum technology by improving spin qubit coherence, which is crucial for enhancing quantum communication networks and enabling more precise quantum sensing. The research's interdisciplinary approach—integrating quantum optics, nanophotonics, and materials science—ensures a comprehensive exploration of spin qubit stability and photon-matter interactions at the nanoscale, positioning the project to overcome key challenges.

The project aligns with Smart Nano NI and aims to promote industry engagement, potentially collaborating with companies such as Causeway Sensors, Cirdan, Seagate, and Yelo to explore intersections between fundamental research and industry applications.

The PhD project offers a unique opportunity to gain a diverse range of experiences in a cutting-edge research environment while developing expertise in quantum and nanoscale optics. This includes nanophotonic design, nanofabrication, modelling, and characterisation of quantum and optomechanical systems, as well as low-temperature spectroscopy, single-photon measurements, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.

For informal inquiries, please feel free to contact Dr. Hamidreza Siampour (h.siampour@qub.ac.uk) at the Centre for Quantum Materials & Technologies, School of Mathematics & Physics, Queen’s University Belfast.

How to apply

Please submit your application via the Direct Applications Portal.

Funding Information

A fully funded PhD studentship (tax-free stipend + full-time tuition fees + research, travel, and networking costs) is available for UK-based applicants.

References

1. Siampour, H. et al. Light: Science & Applications 7, 61 (2018).
2. Cardenas-Lopez, S. et al. Physical Review Letters 131, 033605 (2023).
3. Siampour, H. et al. npj Quantum Information 9, 15 (2023).
4. Snow, K. et al. arXiv:2408.02372 (2024)

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