PhD Position : Nano optomechanics in the single photon regime

COFUND QuanG; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 27 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Fully funded PhD

Résumé du poste

COFUND QuanG in Grenoble, France, invites applications for a First Stage Researcher PhD (R1) in physics. The project explores optomechanics with suspended silicon carbide nanowires coupled to a photonic crystal optical micro-cavity to study quantum-light interactions at low photon numbers.

The PhD runs three years, is fully funded, and involves collaboration with C2N and LKB laboratories, with MSCA mobility rules requiring not more than 12 months in France in prior 36 months.

Qualifications

• The candidate must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification by the application deadline.
• MSCA mobility rule applies: no residence or main activity in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months preceding the deadline.

Responsabilités

• Contribute to experiments on optomechanics in the lab.
• Investigate strong optomechanical coupling using micro-cavities.
• Collaborate with teams at C2N and LKB for theory and implementation.

Connaissances

Quantum mechanics

Optics

Nano-mechanics

Python

Formation

Master's degree or equivalent

Outils

Python

Description du poste

Organisation/Company COFUND QuanG Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 7 Sep 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Reference Number 101261699 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

General Scope:
Light is a tool of choice to measure the minute vibrations of mechanical oscillators using optical interferometry. A laser field interacting with a resonator applies an optical force which formally represents the backaction of the measurement process. Optomechanics is the field studying the quantum limits of these precision measurements carried out in interferometers and optical cavities. At the macroscopic level, understanding this light-matter interaction is central to enhance the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors. At the nanoscale it is possible to employ ultrasensitive force sensors and maximise their optomechanical interaction using high finesse optical micro-cavities where the electromagnetic field of each photon is enhanced. Our experiments allow entering the regime where the optomechanical interaction can be explored down to the single photon level, with sub-wavelength size resolution, opening novel perspectives in quantum optics and cavity nano-optomechanics.

PhD Subject:
We exploit suspended silicon carbide nanowires as ultrasensitive force sensors, and make them interact with a photonic crystal optical micro-cavity to build a strongly coupled optomechanical system. The nanowire vibrating apex interacts with the light field confined in the cavity mode thus shifting its optical resonance frequency while the photons in the cavity mode apply an optomechanical force on the nanowire. In this setup we are able to monitor in real time the pump light reflected from the cavity and the nanowire vibrations using a separate readout laser. By scanning the nanowire above the photonic crystal, we are able to map the optomechanical interaction with
high accuracy. The goal of the PhD project is to study this strong interaction at low photon number in the cavity, when the nanowire position fluctuations are dominated by the quantum fluctuations of the cavity field. The current experiment is carried out at room temperature but it is planned to move to milli Kelvin temperature to gain in sensitivity and reduce the nanowire thermal noise.
This experimental work is carried out in close collaboration with teams in the C2N and LKB laboratories in Palaiseau and Paris, which fabricate and optimise the microcavities. On the theory side, we are collaborating with theoreticians experts in quantum optics and fluctuations at the LKB laboratory in Paris in order to model the optomechanical interaction down to the single photon level.

Required Skills:
A theoretical background in quantum mechanics, optics and/or nano-mechanics, as well as prior knowledge in programming (Python) are welcome Experimental work involves optics, nano-mechanics, vacuum technology and microwave design, and advanced interfacing.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification by the application deadline and must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants must also comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the application deadline. Applicants must not be current employees of the host laboratory. There are no nationality or age restrictions.

Additional comments

About the QuanG2 PhD Call

This PhD position is offered as part of the QuanG2 PhD Call for Applications, a doctoral programme coordinated by Université Grenoble Alpes and dedicated to training the next generation of researchers in quantum science and technology. The programme offers fully funded three-year PhD positions within the Grenoble quantum research ecosystem, providing doctoral candidates with a high-level international research environment and dedicated funding for their research and training activities.

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