Continuous superradiant laser with a laser-cooled atomic beam

Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 100 000 - 125 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is seeking a PhD candidate to work on developing a cold-atom-based superradiant laser. The role involves characterizing interactions between atoms and optical cavities while exploring novel clock architectures. Candidates should have a Master's degree in a relevant field and a strong background in AMO experimental physics. This position is part of the EU's QuRIOUS doctoral network program, aiming to train future quantum technology leaders. Interested applicants can apply via email.

Qualifications

• Candidate needs to develop skills in detection and frequency metrology methods.
• Experience in photon correlation measurements and spectrum measurements is beneficial.
• Interest in quantum many-body physics is appreciated.

Responsabilités

• Characterize collective interaction between atoms and cavities.
• Investigate light properties related to synchronization of atomic emitters.
• Explore superradiant emission regimes through light and atomic properties.

Connaissances

Strong educational background in AMO experimental physics

Interest in cold atom physics

Aptitude for teamwork

Formation

Master Degree in relevant fields

Outils

Continuous lasers

Ultravacuum systems

Servo electronic systems

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, CNRS Research Field Physics » Quantum mechanics Physics » Metrology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 31 Dec 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227522 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Optical clocks are the most precise clocks in the world. Building on the principles of atomic clocks first built in the middle of the 20th century, these clocks use the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to determine time with accuracies of up to one part in a quintillion (a million million million). Such clocks would thus be off by less than a second over the entire age of the universe. These clocks are vital components for many applications in our modern society, such as the operation of GPS and the synchronization of telecommunication networks. Physicists also use these clocks to bolster investigations of fundamental physical phenomena, such as the detection of low-frequency gravitational waves.

Our research project at LPL:

Recently, researchers proposed a new type of clock: the active clock using superradiant lasing. Instead of shining a very stable laser onto ultracold atoms to probe the atom’s resonance frequency (and thus measure time), the clock would operate by letting the atoms themselves emit light. Much like in a laser, cold atoms would be prepared in an excited state, then placed between two mirrors that form a cavity. The atoms then coherently emit light into the cavity mode. However, unlike a traditional laser, the light frequency will mostly be set by the atoms themselves, and not by the cavity. The light coherence will be set by a collective synchronization of the atomic dipoles with each other - a process called superradiance. Thus, in addition to its significance as a new clock architecture, this system is interesting from a fundamental point of view: it is an example of an open-dissipative system in which correlations of a quantum nature may naturally arise.

We have built a prototype for such a cold-atom-based superradiant laser. We want to tackle the unresolved issue of sustaining continuously a superradiant emission, thus harnessing its full potential as a clock. Our design is based on an effusive beam of strontium atoms inside a vacuum chamber, slowed, cooled, and guided continuously up to an optical cavity, where they will emit light in a superradiant fashion. The construction of the apparatus is finished, and we have already guided enough atoms inside the optical cavity of the superradiant laser. The PhD thesis will be first devoted to characterizing the signs of collective interaction between atoms and cavity (i.e., performing cavity-enhanced spectroscopy), and searching for superradiance signals in beat note spectroscopy. The doctoral researcher will then investigate the light properties to understand how the emitters synchronize their oscillation, and how the light coherence is related to correlations between all atomic emitters. Our experiment will have the unique capability to explore several distinct superradiant emission regimes, which we will identify through the spectral and correlation properties of the light and of the atoms. In collaboration with metrology experts both from LPL and the QuRIOUS consortium, we will contribute to assessing the metrological interest (i.e., “performance” criteria to act as a clock) of atomic-beam continuous superradiant lasers.

The QuRIOUS doctoral network program:

This PhD thesis is part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie doctoral training network QuRIOUS, just recently funded by the European Union. This program will train 15 young scientists to become Europe’s future quantum technology leaders. To do so, the network assembles an outstanding and experienced group of scientists and innovators from academia, EU metrology institutes, and industry, with world-class expertise in practical quantum technologies. The new doctoral students will be trained at the universities of Amsterdam, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Toruń, Vienna and Innsbruck, and at the National Center for Scientific Research in France (CNRS – in Paris, Villetaneuse and Besançon) and the National Metrology Institute of Italy; in close collaboration with the industry partners Menlo Systems (Germany), NKT Photonics (Denmark), and QUBIG (Germany). Eleven further associated partners throughout Europe are also involved in the training network.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Metrology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Quantum mechanics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The basic technical tools of this activity are continuous lasers, an ultravacuum system, and the servo electronic systems. The person recruited will also develop new skills in detection and frequency metrology methods: photon correlation measurements, spectrum measurements, and ultimately comparison with an external frequency reference provided by the LNE-SYRTE metrology laboratory and disseminated by the Refimeve+ network.

Specific Requirements

The candidate should have a strong educational background in AMO experimental physics and cold atom physics. An interest/education in quantum many-body physics, atomic clocks or quantum optics would be appreciated. They should possess an excellent aptitude to team work for collective experimental effort.