Postdoc: Experimental Quantum Optics

The Quantum Information and Technologies team is hiring a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work in the exciting field of integrated photonics for quantum information. The successful candidate will work in a highly collaborative research environment including national and international partners and will contribute to projects spanning from fundamental research to applications in quantum communications, metrology, simulations.
The team is at the international forefront in the development of semiconductor devices for the generation and manipulation of quantum states of light, exploiting both discrete and continuous degrees of freedom of light. The exploited material, AlGaAs, presents several assets in the landscape of platforms for integrated quantum photonics, which have been exploited to reach several key results: direct bandgap allowing for the monolithic integration of pump laser and internal SPDC [1], mature fabrication techniques for the development of quantum photonic circuits [2,3], high second-order nonlinearity leading to high pair generation rates [4], high versatility in the engineering of the biphoton state [5,6,7], utilization of the devices in quantum information protocols [8].
The postdoc project aims to push further the study and engineering of biphoton states generated in different experimental configurations and exploiting a variety of degrees of freedom either in discrete or continuous variables’ regimes: polarization, frequency, energy-time, and collective variables (time difference-frequency difference). The general goal is to evidence the situations in which such states present a quantum advantage for applications. This work will be done in strong collaboration with the theoreticians of the team. The project will also include the participation in the development of a photon-ion interface, in the framework of a collaboration with the trapped ions axis of the team.

Responsibilities:
* Participate in the conception and implementation of experiments in quantum optics
* Collaborate with Ph.D. students and other members of the group and with external collaborators on quantum states engineering and characterization as well as their utilization in quantum information protocols
* Actively participate in the publication of research results in high-quality scientific journals and in their presentation at national and international conferences

Qualifications:
* Ph.D. in physics
* Strong expertise in experimental quantum optics in the discrete variables’ regime (additional expertise with continuous variables is also interesting)
* Ability to work effectively in a team

The position is available starting from the beginning of 2024, and the initial appointment is for one year, renewable. The salary is based on French regulations and depends on the candidate’s previous experience.

Interested candidates may contact Sara DUCCI (sara.ducci@u-paris.fr) as soon as possible. The application should contain a CV, a list of publications, a short research statement (cover letter), and contact information for two senior researchers who can provide recommendation letters.

[1] F. Boitier et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 183901 (2014)
[2] J. Belhassen et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 112, 071105 (2018)
[3] F. Appas et al. ACS Photonics 10, 1136 (2023)
[4] F. Appas et al. IEEE J. of Lightwave Technology (invited paper) 40, 7658 (2022)
[5] S. Francesconi et al. Optica 7, 316 (2020)
[6] S. Francesconi et al. ACS Photonics 8, 2764 (2021)
[7] S. Francesconi et al. Photonics Research 11, 270 (2023)
[8] F. Appas et al. Nature Partner Journal Quantum Information 7,118 (2021)