Phd Offer: Experimental Realization Of Quantum-Squeezed States Of Light Using Optically-Levitated Nano-Objects.

5 Oct 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS and Université de Bordeaux

Department

Science de la Matière et du Rayonnement

Research Field

Physics » Quantum mechanics

Physics » Optics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

15 Dec 2023 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Not Applicable

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

Yes

Offer Description

Project:Optical levitation is a subfield of optomechanics , in which a nanometer-size particle is trapped in a vacuum chamber at the focal spot of a laser focused through a microscope objective 1. The laser beam produces an optical force equivalent to a mechanical spring and the system can be regarded as a simple mass-spring resonator displaying pristine vibrational oscillations in the kHz regime. Because levitated systems outperform other types of mechanical resonators, they are currently exploited to achieve high- sensitivity metrology, detect gravitational waves or search for dark matter. Yet, despite their simplicity, levitated systems provide a remarkable interaction between the mechanical motion of the particle and the light field, which can be harnessed to generate quantum properties.

Ponderomotive squeezing, also known as the mechanically-assisted quantum squeezing of light , provides an interesting illustration of such a property. Here, the intensity fluctuations of the optical field produce small displacements of the particle, which in turn modulate the phase of the photons that are reflected back from the nano-object. Therefore, one induces a correlation between intensity and phase fluctuations onto the reflected optical field that gives rise to quantum-squeezed states of light (i.e., with an uncertainty below that of “classical” states). Achieved here on an extremely simple configuration, such squeezed states are of formidable importance to perform measurements below the standard quantum limit (and especially looked after in environments like the LIGO/VIRGO gravitational waves platforms). Yet, despite early demonstrations 2,3, squeezing performances currently reported with levitated objects are rather limited due to the moderate strength of the light-matter interaction between the nano-object and the optical field.

In this PhD, the candidate will experimentally study how quantum squeezing can be improved through spatio-temporal protocols. Specifically, using spatial light modulators, the incoming light field will be shaped both in time and space to maximize the radiation pressure (i.e., optical force) exerted onto the nano-object 4 and thus bolster light-matter interaction and squeezing. The student will be closely guided by the advisor and will acquire both theoretical and experimental skills on optomechanics, levitation, quantum optics and in spatio-temporal modulation techniques. If required, a Master-2 internship can be proposed to initiate the project.

1 Millen et al., Reports on Progress in Physics, 83(2), 026401.

2 Magrini et al., Physical Review Letters, 129(5), 053601.

3 Militaru et al., Physical Review Letters, 129(5), 053602.

4 Hüpfl and Bachelard et al. , Physical Review Letters, 130(8), 083203.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics » Quantum mechanics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

To deliver on this PhD, the candidate should have received basic knowledge in optics, quantum optics and, if possible, optomechanics and electronics. The student should also possess a solid experimental background. Moreover, some abilities in theory would be appropriate to fully address the topic.

Specific Requirements

The candidate should speak English fluently. French is not required.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Physics » OpticsPhysics » Quantum mechanics

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Bordeaux University

Country

France

City

Talence

Postal Code

33405

Street

351 Cours de la Libération

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Gironde

City

Talence

Website

https: // scholar.google.fr/citations?user=1djDNg4AAAAJ&hl=fr

Street

cours de la Liberation

Postal Code

33405

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED