We are looking for highly motivated PhD candidates to develop novel on-chip laser systems that will enable scalable quantum systems based on trapped ions, cold atoms and solid-state defects.

Current photonic integrated laser systems, such as III-V laser, have shown great promise to realize scalable quantum systems. However, the performance of these laser systems is still far from what is possible using tabletop free-space or fiber laser systems. During this PhD the candidate will research novel solid-state gain materials to integrate with existing photonic integration platforms, such as silicon nitride, to create beyond state-of-the-art lasers for control of trapped ions, cold atoms and solid-state defects. This work will build in part on the novel thin film laser technologies developed at Stanford University and the existing state-of-the-art micro transfer printing capabilities of the photonic research group.

Furthermore, this PhD opportunity is a part of the exciting "LASIQ" project, supported by an ERC starting grant, offering the chance to contribute to a vibrant research team.

Job description

For this project you will be working in a research team led by Prof. Kasper Van Gasse within the Photonics Research Group of Ghent University and imec. The main goal is to allow the PhD researcher to create novel photonic integrated laser systems and develop all the necessary skills in photonic integration needed for a further career as photonic researcher.

The estimated breakdown of the research activity is approximately 40% clean room work and process development, 35% optical simulations (Lumerical, mode solvers, FDTD, inverse design, …) and 25% optical experiments. Depending on the preference of the student this can be adjusted.