Quantum-gas microscopy of many-body quantum states in programmable light potentials

Key facts

• Opens: Friday 24 January 2025
• Number of places: 1
• Duration: 48 months
• Funding: Home fee, Stipend, Travel costs

Eligibility

An upper second-class UK Honours degree or overseas equivalent is required.

Knowledge in atomic physics and quantum mechanics are essential.

Project Details

Quantum Simulation seeks to unravel the mysteries of complex quantum systems that influence fields like materials science, chemistry, and biology. By modelling these systems through precise, controlled experiments at the quantum-mechanical level, we gain new, profound insights.

Within this PhD project, we'll utilize ultracold atoms in optical lattices in a quantum-gas microscope, capable of single-site-resolved atom detection. Our setup, equipped with spatial light modulators, can project various light patterns onto the atoms with remarkable resolution. For example, in our work, published in Nature Communications we were able to create quantum systems with only five atoms on a specific number of lattice sites .

This remarkable tool will allow us to investigate novel quantum states in quasi-one-dimensional systems. You can be the future PhD student exploring quantum states in ladder systems at half filling, where atoms move across each rung, yet the overall state remains insulating!

We're also diving into the intriguing effects of disordered lattice potentials on quantum states. By manipulating light potentials to flip atomic spins on selected sites, we'll create various initial spin distributions, shedding light on out-of-equilibrium dynamics.

And there's more - future studies will venture into complex lattice geometries like Lieb-lattice systems and diamond chains.

Funding details

The funding provided for these fully funded PhDs will include four years of both tuition fees and monthly stipend payments.

Fully funded studentships are available at the UK home rate.

Home students

To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:

While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.

• be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
• have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
• have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years.

Professor Stefan Kuhr

Head Of Department Physics

Dr Arthur La Rooij

Research Fellow Physics

Apply

Number of places: 1

To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page .

Contact us

Stefan.kuhr@strath.ac.uk

Research areas