Postdoc position in superconducting quantum information
Reference number REF 2009/207
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Application deadline 2010-06-01
Postdoc position in superconducting quantum information - Quantum optics on chip with superconducting circuits. We seek a motivated postdoctoral researcher to be part of the experimental effort at Chalmers University of Technology.
The position is in the
Quantum Device Physics Laboratory, MC2 at Chalmers. The project will be carried out by the prospective applicant, along with several experimental PhD students. This team will also be supported by senior researchers and professors working on the project, including both experimentalists and theoreticians. The work will take place in a strong research environment at Chalmers, supported by the
Linnaeus Center of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems and the new
Chalmers Nanotechnology Center. Chalmers is also the coordinating node in several EU projects on quantum computing including EuroSQIP and SOLID. This project is supported by the European Research Council and will allow opportunities for travel and collaboration.
Job description
Quantum computation and quantum information processing have emerged as exciting new fields of physics in the last decade. While offering the promise of radical new technologies in the future, these fields are driving our basic understanding of quantum mechanics and its implications. These fields have become increasingly interdisciplinary in recent years, drawing in physicists from a variety of disciplines, ranging from quantum optics to condensed matter physics. Early work was dominated by results in natural quantum systems, such as photons and atoms. Recently, work on engineered quantum systems, i.e. solid-state devices, has become increasingly important.
A particularly important contribution to this work has come from the field of superconducting quantum circuits. From the first experiments a decade ago, the performance of superconducting quantum bits (qubits) has improved as much as 3 orders of magnitude. Early advances were gained through improved designs of the qubits and measurement systems. While this approach may continue to be fruitful, it is also general recognized in the field that there is a lack of understanding of the microscopic mechanisms that limit the performance of superconducting qubits. There is now a major international effort to understand these mechanisms and eliminate them through advancements in our physical understanding, but also through technological advancements in materials and fabrication methods.
At the same time it has become evident that the inherent nonlinearity of the superconducting circuits can be used to create strong interaction between microwave photons and these circuits. The interaction typically takes place in superconducting cavities formed in a coplanar waveguide geometry. These cavities can be made tunable in frequency so that the cavity can be brought into resonance with a qubits. Potentially the Q-values of these cavities can also be tuned. This new area of research called circuit quantum electrodynamics (circuit-QED) has gained a lot of momentum, and this has opened the possibility to integrate many cavities and qubits on-chip. There is a great opportunity to merge condensed matter physics with quantum optics and to do experiments on chip.
Quantum optics on chip with superconducting circuits
The overall objective of this project is to build a toolbox based on circuit-QED and tunable superconducting elements to enable on-chip integrated quantum optics. Our vision is to move quantum optics experiments from large optical tables and integrate them on chip, with a substantially increased level of integration. The tools that we intend to develop will open for new well-controlled experiments with many cavities and many “atoms” in the form of superconducting qubits. We enter a new road where the quantum nature of both photons and “atoms” can be integrated and utilized. Many, but not all, of the tools needed to do quantum optics in the microwave domain already exist. For example, bidirectional couplers take the role of beam splitters. The role of lasers is played by microwave generators, which can be modulated in many different ways and also phase locked to other sources. Circulators also exist in the microwave domain. However, there are also a number of “tools” which do not yet exist in the microwave domain, but it should be possible to make them with present technology. This project targets individual components which can generate, detect, and reroute single microwave photons on-chip. In addition to these single photon devices, the tunable superconducting circuits can also be used for parametric generation and amplification of photons. The parametric devices are not necessarily single photon devices but they are fundamentally interesting and can be very useful as on-chip sources and detectors for microwave signals.
The position is available to start immediately. The actually starting time is negotiable. The project has long term funding, renewable for up to 4-5 years. However, standard postdoc contracts at Chalmers are for 1 year at a time.
We will start to interview qualified applicants after January 18, 2010. A candidate maybe chosen at anytime after that, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Goals for the project include:
- A superconducting cavity with tunable Q-value
- An on-demand single photon source
- A number resolving single-photon click-detector
- A single photon router A single photon sluice
We will start to interview qualified applicants after XX January 2010. A candidate maybe chosen at anytime after that, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Required qualifications The successful applicant should have (or be nearing completion of) a PhD in a field of condensed matter physics. Candidates should have experience in at least some of the following areas: quantum mechanics, superconductivity, quantum optics, mesoscopic physics, nanofabrication, cryogenics, microwave technology. Fluency in written and spoken English is also a requirement.
Application procedure
The application shall be written in English and include the following items:
- An application of a maximum of one A4 page containing your specific qualifications for the position
- Curriculum Vitae including list of publications
- Two reference persons who can be contacted by Chalmers (describe association with them and give their contact addresses)
- Attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents
The application shall be sent electronically.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
The documents according to items 1-4 above shall be attached as two pdf-files.
One should contain items 1-3 in the listing of material to be included in the application The other should contain item 4 in the listing of material, and any other appendices. The files may be compressed (zipped).
If any material is not available electronically or cannot be transferred to pdf format, the material can be sent as a hard copy to Registrar. The applicants name and the reference number (REF 2009/207) must be written on the first page of the application.
Address:
Registrar
Chalmers University of Technology
SE-412 96 Göteborg
Sweden
Further information Per Delsing
per.delsing@chalmers.se
Union representatives
- SACO: Jan Lindér
- ST: Marie Wenander
- SEKO: Johan Persson
All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00
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