Master thesis: Probabilistic computing in nonlinear optical resonators

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 6,700 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AMOLF Energy Research Academy

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

AMOLF invites a Master’s intern to work on probabilistic computing using nonlinear optical resonators at Amsterdam Science Park. You will join the Interacting Photons group to explore experimental realization of p-bits and study how their energy efficiency, speed, and precision can be optimized.

The project combines experiments and simulations under supervision of a PhD student or postdoc, with an emphasis on fundamental physics and potential applications in quantum-inspired computing.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science or related field.
• EU nationality or student at a university in the Netherlands.
• Internship must be a mandatory part of the curriculum.
• Available for at least 5 months (longer is preferable).

Responsibilities

• Explore probabilistic computing with nonlinear optical resonators.
• Experimentally implement optical p-bit and assess performance.
• Investigate energy efficiency, speed and precision, and their interrelations.

Skills

Experimental skills

Python/ Matlab

Statistical physics

Teamwork

Education

Master’s student in physics, chemistry or materials science

Tools

Optical cavities

Nonlinear optics

Job description

Master thesis project: Probabilistic computing in nonlinear optical resonators

Work Activities

In conventional computers, information is encoded in bits that can take a value of 0 or 1. Quantum computers extend this idea by using qubits, which can exist in superpositions of 0 and 1. A third paradigm, known as probabilistic computing, uses probabilistic bits (p-bits): binary units that randomly fluctuate between 0 and 1 with a controllable probability. Rather than avoiding randomness, this approach uses noise as a computational resource. Probabilistic computing is actively investigated in the context of Boltzmann machines and neural networks, where stochastic binary units can efficiently perform computational tasks that naturally involve randomness, often more efficiently than deterministic hardware. In this project, you will explore how nonlinear optical resonators can be used for probabilistic computing. Our group recently realized, theoretically, a new way to make a p-bit in a nonlinear optical cavity. Building on this result, you will investigate how to implement this optical p-bit experimentally. You will investigate what determines its energy efficiency, speed, and precision, and how these performance metrics inter-relate.

Qualifications

You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. You have a nationality of an EU-member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands. The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum. We expect you to be available for at least 5 months, although longer is preferable.

Work environment

AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

In the Interacting Photons group (https://amolf.nl/research-groups/interacting-photons), we search for new physics emerging from photon interactions. As a testbed for new ideas, we use optical microcavities with nonlinear materials inside. We are driven by fundamental physics questions relevant to improve the energy efficiency, speed, and precision of optical technologies such as sensors and novel computers. The two projects we offer are at the frontier of nanophotonics, statistical physics, and condensed matter. Both projects involve experiments and computer simulations of stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems, with a balance to be determined by your interests and skills. For both experiments and simulations, you will learn all the necessary methods & techniques in our group, and a PhD student or postdoc will be your daily supervisor.

Working conditions

At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor.

AMOLF Energy Research Academy (https://www.lmpv.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-2027-AMOLF-Energy-Research-Academy-program.pdf): AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF.

More information?

For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. Said Rodriguez (https://amolf.nl/people/said-rodriguez). or dr. Tom Veeken (https://amolf.nl/people/tom-veeken).

Diversity code

AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).