Postgraduate research opportunities Quantum simulation of correlated many-body phases

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Key facts

  • Opens: Friday 1 November 2024
  • Deadline: Friday 7 February 2025
  • Number of places: 1
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Funding: Equipment costs, Home fee, International fee, Stipend, Travel costs

Overview

This 4-year PhD project is part of the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Quantum Technologies. As well as completing a PhD project in an aligned topic, CDT students will also benefit from technical and skills-based training in all aspects of quantum technologies.
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Eligibility

All applicants must have or expect to obtain a first-class or second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject OR have or expect to obtain a Masters degree.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
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Project Details

Quantum Simulation seeks to gain fundamental insight into the behaviour of complex quantum systems, which underlie diverse fields ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology. New understanding can now be gained by modelling (or simulating) this behaviour with experiments that are controllable on a microscopic, quantum-mechanical level.
Within this PhD project, we will use ultracold atoms in optical lattices in a quantum-gas microscope setup, with the capabilities of single-site-resolved atom detection. We will will build on new experimental capabilities in our setup able to generate arbitrary light potentials by spatial light modulators that are projected onto the atoms with a high-resolution microscope [1,2].

Within the first part of this PhD project, we will apply our dynamically programmable light potentials in a new context: the study of Mott insulating states in quasi one-dimensional quantum systems. Our goal is to observe ‘rung’ Mott insulating states, which form in ladder systems at exactly half filling [3,4]. In such a state, atoms delocalize over each rung of the lattice while the overall many-body quantum state remains insulating.

We will create these quantum states using our unique dynamically controlled potentials. Initially, we will prepare a Mott insulating state in a one-dimensional chain between potential barriers. We will then move the potential barriers parallel to the chain by one site, effectively doubling the number of lattice sites while maintaining the same initial atom number. By adjusting the strength of the optical lattice lasers perpendicular to the chain, we can control the tunnelling between the ladder rungs. Meanwhile, the strength of the optical lattice along the rungs will alter the ratio of tunnelling to on-site interaction. This will allow us to map out a phase diagram and compare it with theoretical predictions [3,4]. Theoretical studies have already been conducted in our group and show the feasibility of these experiments within our setup.

In the second part of this PhD project, we will aim to laser cool and trap the 85Rb isotope instead of 87Rb. As 85Rb has a Feshbach resonance of the F=2, mF=-2 ground state at 155 G, we will be able to tune the scattering length and control the interatomic interactions. This will allow us to realise a two-component Bose-Hubbard Model, with different inter- and intra-species interactions, to study richer physics in the abovementioned ladder system. It is also predicted to exhibit an x-y ferromagnetic phase [5]. Control of the scattering length, in a way that it remains positive at all stages of the experiment including the transport, is critical to avoid heating and losses of 85Rb during the multi-stage cooling and loading process. The experimental setup has been specifically designedto  maintain a suitable magnetic field during the transport. We will then employ the programmable light potentials to perform spin flips of atoms on selected lattice sites, enabling us to generate arbitrary initial distributions of the atomic spins. It will allow us to study out-of-equilibrium dynamics and perform local quenches. Further studies will include lattice geometries of a higher complexity such as Lieb-lattice systems and diamond chains.

Further information

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Quantum Technologies

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Funding details

The funding provided for these fully funded PhDs will include four years of both tuition fees and monthly stipend payments.

Fully funded studentships are available at the UK home rate and international rate.

Home students 

To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must: 

  • be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and 
  • have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and 
  • have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years.

International Students

There are a limited number of international studentships for exceptional candidates who do not meet the UK home status mentioned above. 

Candidates should check if they require an ATAS certificate; eligible nationalities are listed on GOV.UK (UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office). 

International candidates whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language with IELTS certification or equivalent.

Information on visa requirements.  

 

While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.

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Supervisors

Professor Kuhr

Professor Stefan Kuhr

Head Of Department
Physics

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Primary Supervisor: Prof Stefan Kuhr

Additional Supervisor: Dr Arthur La Rooij

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Apply

Applications should be submitted via the AQT website in the first instance.

Number of places: 1

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