About the Project
Quantum technology promises improvements and otherwise impossible tasks in communication, computation, simulation, and measurement. Photons can be used in virtually of those: in quantum metrology and imaging, as the quantum information carrier in photonic quantum processors, as a mediator in hybrid systems, and for long-distance quantum networks. State-of-the-art multi-photon applications reach up to 8 entangled photons, although at excruciatingly low rates of events per hour.
In this PhD project you will increase the generation rates of photonic quantum bytes by many orders of magnitude. This improvement will be achieved through cutting edge technology: gigahertz-clocked lasers, highly-efficient nonlinear optics, and state-of-the art superconducting photon detectors. By removing one of the major roadblocks for the scalability of photonic quantum technology, you will be able to implement next-generation quantum protocols which have so far been out of reach.
The project offers an excellent entry point into quantum technology, training a range of skills from photonic engineering to applications in quantum foundations, communication, computation and metrology. Photonics is a very mature quantum technology, leading to short development paths which leaves more time for practical implementations. As a consequence, doctoral students in quantum photonics usually have a wide array of options to pursue, in quantum information science, in technology development, in applied photonics, and even industry.
The Institution
The Institute of Photonics and Quantum Science (IPaQS) at Heriot-Watt University offers a vibrant environment for PhD research, with a total of 160 academics, postdocs, PhD and EngD students in photonics. IPaQs is involved with two of four EPSRC Quantum Technology Hubs—Quantum-Enhanced Imaging and Quantum Communication. The two quantum hubs support this project, offering links to industry and collaboration opportunities with research partners across the country. Heriot-Watt University is situated in Edinburgh, one of the most beautiful and liveable cities in the UK. Our university consistently ranks top in UK student satisfaction surveys and will provide a perfect setting for your life as a PhD student.
Funding Notes
Our research program is fully funded through an EPSRC Early Career Quantum Technology Fellowship. The standard PhD stipend on offer is for a duration of 3 years, with possible extension, and amounts to £14,057 p.a. Travel to international conferences is strongly encouraged and will be funded by the project. Upon inquiry, excellent candidates may be eligible for competitive scholarships through Scottish Doctoral Training Centre for Condensed Matter Physics and Heriot-Watt's Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics. There is an option to pursue a shared PhD degree (cotutelle) between Heriot-Watt and universities in Australia.
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