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PhD Studentship: Quantum Polaritonics

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Aug 31, 2018

Job Details

Project description

Applications are invited from EU/UK nationals for two PhD studentships in the field of Quantum Polaritonics at the Dept of Physics & Astronomy, University of Southampton, which hosts the UK's flagship EPSRC research programme on polaritonics.  

Recently, we proposed polariton graphs as a new platform for analogue simulation. Polariton graphs benefit by the continuous optical readout of the phase, energy, momentum and spin of the individual polariton vertices, the strong inter-particle interactions −mediated through the exciton component−, room temperature operation −with appropriate choice of materials−, and even the potential for electrical injection utilizing well-developed semiconductor technologies.

In this project, we will study the quantum speed-up of polariton simulators in realising the ground state of the XY Hamiltonian. Whereas for a classical simulator the time it takes to find the global minimum of the cost function of the problem increases exponentially with the number of degrees of freedom of the system, in a quantum simulator there is a polynomial increase of the time. Unravelling the mechanism of quantum speed-up is at the core of the fundamental physics underpinning polariton simulators. 

We seek candidates with a knowledge of and keen interest in fundamental physics and optics, and a desire to develop skills in experimental photonics, advanced spectroscopies, condensed matter theory, quantum, laser and semiconductor physics.

The students will join a strong international team of students, postdoctoral and academic staff working together on many aspects of cutting-edge research in polaritonics and quantum simulation. 

This PhD project involves close collaboration and therefore international travel at IBM Zurich, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and MIT-Skoltech

Please contact: Professor Pavlos Lagoudakis (lagous@soton.ac.uk ) for further details.

 

Key facts

Entry requirements:

The successful candidates should have a good first degree and/or a Masters in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Material Science or a related area.

 

Closing date: 

The PhD programme associated with these studentships could start as early as in January 2018. However, applications should be received no later than 31 August 2018 for standard admissions.

 

Duration:

3.5 years (full-time).The student must complete the programme in 42 months.

 

Funding:

full tuition fees, for UK/EU students, and a tax-free stipend of £14,553 per year (topped up to £20k per year for exceptional candidates).

 

Assessment:

Nine month and 18 month reports, viva voce and thesis examination

 

Start date:

January to October 2018

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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