There are two PhD student positions open to work on Modification of Molecular Structure Under Strong Coupling to Confined Light Modes. This project at the interface of quantum optics, molecular science, and condensed matter physics is financially supported by an ERC Starting Grant running from 2017 to 2022. All applicants should be highly motivated and enjoy working and collaborating closely within an international team.
The project is based on modern advances in nanophotonics that allow us to confine light modes so strongly that their effect on matter is felt even in the absence of external driving. In this regime of “strong coupling” or “vacuum Rabi splitting”, the fundamental excitations are so-called polaritons, hybrid light-matter states which combine the properties of both constituents. The overarching goal of the project is to develop, refine and apply theoretical methods in order to understand the modification of molecular structure under strong coupling to confined light modes, and its effect on the dynamics of the formed polaritons.
The PhD students will work in one of two main research directions:
References:
[1] J. Galego, F. J. Garcia-Vidal, and J. Feist, Phys. Rev. X 5, 41022 (2015).
[2] J. Galego, F. J. Garcia-Vidal, and J. Feist, Nat. Commun. 7, 13841 (2016).
For further information and to apply, please contact Johannes Feist at johannes [dot] feist [at] uam [dot] es. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and contact information for at least three references. Initial appointments will be for one year, with possible extension up to the duration of the project. Applications received until February 13, 2017 will receive full consideration. Applications received after this deadline may be considered until the positions are filled.
Relevant links: