Postgraduate research opportunities Applications of Tailored Few Photon States

The PhD student will investigate theoretical methods for mapping quantum photonic states onto information storage and routing devices. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has developed precise metrology devices, single-electron sources, with metrologically accurate control of electron emission with less than 10^-7 error rate and a timing accuracy down to one picosecond. These can be adapted to achieve accurate control of electron injection for photon emission through hole recombination. Quantum state transfer, mapping the electron’s quantum state (e.g. spin, spatial wavefunction) onto the emitted photon, would be valuable in realising quantum networks for photonic sources or transduction between quantum processors and communication channels. Presently, it is unknown whether such coherent mapping is possible in realistic experimental conditions present in recombination of injected electrons, hence it is first necessary to perform theoretical investigations. The objective of the project is to identify the most promising target photonic states for information transfer. The results will inform experimental efforts at NPL such as new device architectures, modes of operation, and characterisation techniques. Quantum networking is a strategic priority of EPSRC and within the UK National Quantum Technology Programme (UK NQTP).

This project is based on a novel concept of photon emission by single electrons travelling in an electron waveguide (quantum Hall edge states) in a semiconductor substrate. Very little information is available in the current literature on such processes. The objective of the project is to find simple methods of taking these states of one or two photons and mapping them onto single or multiple site devices such as quantum dots or NV centres in diamond to provide quantum storage, routing and small-scale processing for the nascent quantum internet.  The student will investigate the state-mapping onto these possible quantum nodes to find the most promising systems and states for information transfer. This project will develop skills for understanding and modelling the applications of such coherent electron-photon phenomena. The student’s successful outputs will be their original work, and scientifically ambitious and challenging.

Further information

This is a 3.5-year EPSRC funded studentship at the University of Strathclyde, in collaboration with NPL. The student will primarily be based at Strathclyde (Glasgow), although there may be possible visits to NPL (London). The PhD will be conducted in the Computational Nonlinear and Quantum Optics (CNQO) group in Optics Division, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde. Strathclyde is the only institution to be a member of all 4 Quantum Technology Hubs in both phases of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme. The project will form part of the QT Hubs in Quantum Communications (QCH) and Quantum Imaging (QuantIC).