PhD studentship on active nano-optomechanics, Eindhoven University of Technology

The coupling between mechanical motion and optical fields offers very exciting perspectives both for fundamental physics and for applications. The strong optical confinement in nanophotonic cavities makes them extremely sensitive to mechanical displacements at the nanometer scale. On the one hand, this can be used to mechanically control and steer light, on the other hand it allows controlling mechanical motion with light, down to the single-photon, single-phonon level. This projects aims at opening a new avenue in optomechanics, by exploring the coupling of nano-optomechanical systems to active emitters. We will investigate the spontaneous and stimulated emission of semiconductor nanostructures (quantum dots) in photonic crystal cavities where the cavity mode is coupled to mechanical displacement. This will lead to the demonstration of tri-partite quantum systems where charge excitations, phonons and photons are mutually coupled, and of nanolasers featuring unconventional dynamical properties.

Project description

The selected candidate will perform fundamental research at the interface between nanophotonics, quantum optics and optomechanics. He/she will conceive solid-state nanophotonic structures based on photonic crystals with embedded semiconductor quantum dots and will use them to experimentally investigate the radiative emission of the quantum dots in the presence of a mechanically-oscillating optical cavity. Specific goals include the mechanical control of spontaneous and stimulated emission rates of quantum dots – crucial for quantum information processing – and the investigation of the novel dynamics expected in nanolasers where the cavity field is coupled to mechanical motion, such that it can be potentially turned into a laser emitting phonons as well as photons The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the "Photonic forces" group at AMOLF (Amsterdam), and co-supervised by Prof. A. Fiore (TU/e) and Dr. Ewold Verhagen (AMOLF).

Job requirements

We welcome applications from candidates with a Master degree in physics with top marks and with a background and interest in optics or photonics. Candidates must prove a strong attitude towards experimental physics and the drive and capacity to tackle different aspects of a complex problem with large independence.

Conditions of employment

We offer a full time appointment for four years by Eindhoven University of Technology http://www.tue.nl/en/, a gross monthly salary of
€ 2174 (first year) to € 2779 (fourth year) with end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities, an attractive package of fringe benefits, including end-of-year allowance, a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program), and excellent sport facilities.

Information and application

Applications should include:

• A cover letter explaining your motivation and qualifications for the position
• A detailed CV
• A course list, including grades
• Names and contact information of two or more references

Screening of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled. If you are interested in this position and would like to apply, please use the Following link "apply now".

Apply now

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