QUROPE Quantum Information Processing and Communication in Europe

Open PhD position 

Emission and detection of highly nonclassical light    

Department of Optics, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Start: September 1, 2017

End:  August 31, 2021

Open PhD position   

Highly nonlinear quantum optomechanics     

Department of Optics, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Start: September 1, 2017

End:  August 31, 2021

Immediately available is a PhD scholarship in the research and development of intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductor materials for spintronic device applications. Analogous to electronics, spintronics uses the magnetic moment of the electron, rather than the charge, to process and store information.

Immediately available is a PhD scholarship in the research and development of diamond lasers. We are using artificial diamonds to convert and tailor the light output from conventional laser sources, with a particular focus on creating versatile narrow-band and single-longitudinal-mode lasers for applications such as chemical detection and quantum control. We are funded in part by M Squared Lasers, a UK laser company, so that our research outcomes can be quickly translated to real-world applications. There will be opportunity to travel and collaborate with this partner.

New and modified laser processing techniques continue to be researched for a myriad of applications in industrial, art and cultural heritage conservation, and environmental contexts. This project will research laser processing solutions for several identified problems in Australian Indigenous and Pacific cultural heritage conservation and textile cleaning. Pigment de-adhesion is a particularly serious issue for traditional Aboriginal bark paintings. The project will involve collaboration with conservation scientist and conservators in Museums and Art Galleries.

We are seeking PhD candidates in the research of nonlinear laser systems with complex dynamics. Such systems are of emerging technological relevance in, for example, random number generation, ranging systems including for autonomous vehicles, biophotonics, and secure communications.  We use big data and complexity measure approaches to build understanding of experimental, complex laser systems over large, multi-dimensional parameter spaces. This allows complete knowledge of the diversity of outputs that can be achieved from a single such system, including extreme events.

Opportunities exist for students to research the photonics and optics of spider silks and webs. As a natural, nanocomposite, self-assembled dielectric material; certain spider silks are high optical quality fibres with high birefringence, high dispersion and high optical nonlinearity. They are biocompatible and have potential for use in a variety of sensors. Projects can be different combinations of theoretical simulations, research of micro-optical techniques to measure the optical properties, nanophotonics, micro- and nano-scale microscopy, and photonics applications of silks.