PhD topic: Optomechanics in the quantum regime , at Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Description

One of the major prospects for bringing nano- and micro-mechanical systems into the quantum regime is their application to quantum information processing. Due to their flexibility to couple to a variety of physical systems (photons, electrons, atoms etc.) together with their on-chip integrability mechanical quantum systems enable novel opportunities for quantum information science, in particular as universal quantum transducer system or as quantum memory. Current challenges involve the preparation of mechanical quantum states of sufficient purity, interfacing to other (quantum) systems, the development of hybrid devices with sufficiently strong coupling to achieve coherent state manipulation and the development of quantum information protocols adapted to nano- and micro-mechanical architectures. These positions will focus on the optomechanical aspect by designing experiments that allow to transfer optical quantum states onto mechanical resonators. In addition, the preparation of entanglement between optics and mechanics will allow to interface mechanical quantum states to other stationary quantum systems, e.g. spin qubits, via an optical bus. Furthermore, the preparation of quantum states of mechanical resonators offers exciting new possibilities for macroscopic quantum experiments at the foundations of quantum physics. The dimension and mass of optomechanical systems allows quantum experiments in a completely new parameter regime. The successful candidates will investigate prospects and challenges of such experiments.

Nr of positions available : 2

Research Fields

Physics - Optics

Career Stage

Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)

Research Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Benefits

You will be part of the FP7-ITN Cavity Quantum Optomechanics (cQOM) team, which involves 10 partners and will support 17 PhD students together with 10 Post-Doctoral researchers in the next 4 years. Go to http://www.cqom-itn.net/ to learn more about the cQOM network.
Marie Curie Fellows will enjoy benefits of full social security, health insurance, pension, parental leave etc. Competitive monthly living and mobility allowance, yearly travel allowance, a career exploratory allowance, and coverage of the expenses related to your participation in research and training activities (contribution to research-related costs, meetings, conference attendance, training actions, etc.). Learn more at http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/careers_en.htm

Comment/web site for additional job details

Early Stage Researchers are those with less than 4 years of research experience. The researchers are appointed directly by the selected host for periods between 3 months and 3 years. Any researcher already holding a PhD is not eligible to be appointed. Eligible researchers may not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to their appointment.
All applications must be received by the closing date of 15th July 2013

http://www.cqom-itn.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ESR_UNIVIE.pdf