PhD position in Precision metrology of millimeterwave signals using integrated photonics

Mission

The Hybrid Photonics Laboratory at EPFL is seeking for talented and motivated candidates to work in the field of Integrated Photonics for precision metrology of high-quality electronic signals at elevated frequencies beyond 100 GHz. This is a part of a larger consortium within the National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR Precision).

Millimeter wave and terahertz oscillators are critical components in accessing and preparing in Rydberg states ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Rev Lett .
82.1831), driving and read‑out of high‑temperature superconducting qubits (), or for studying low‑energy excitations, including phonons, plasmons, or superconducting phenomena. Yet, progress in this area is currently hindered by the difficulty to achieve effective source and detectors in this challenging frequency range which remains difficult to access using conventional electronics. Our lab has been making significant progress in conceptualizing, implementing and demonstrating miniaturized chips to generate and detect terahertz radiation by means of photonics.

Building upon these demonstrations, we want to resort to photonics and superconductors to realize single‑photon level coherent millimeter wave detectors.

You will exploit the low‑loss thin film lithium niobate photonics platform, which we can fabricate in‑house, at EPFL, to realize chip‑scale, photonics‑based terahertz local oscillators and mixers, the two essential building blocks required for performing high‑precision heterodyne metrology. We aim to achieve a significant amplification in this heterodyne scheme, by maximizing the intensity of the terahertz local oscillators. In parallel, you will improve the noise performance both on the optics side and on the terahertz side through injection locking and using signals disseminated within the SI‑traceble frequency dissemination network planned within this NCCR.

You will fabricate these hybrid devices in‑house at EPFL cleanroom using newly developed fabrication protocols available in the group.

As a successful candidate of a dynamic team, you will shape the future of photonics‑based millimeter wave‑optical technology in our young and dynamic lab. You will develop first‑of‑their kind hybrid platforms that enable complex high‑frequency operations directly inside miniaturized photonic chips.

You will kick off diverse aspects of the experimental effort: technical (setting up an optical measurement setup design, including design of high‑frequency electronics and custom‑tailored mechanical components) and conceptual (develop the theory of millimeter wave/terahertz generation and detection inside photonic chips). In the lab, you will learn about integrated and free‑space quantum optical technologies and engineering, and nonlinear optics. You will contribute to the automatisation of measurement routines, comprehensive characterisation of fabricated samples and to bridging the area of microwave/terahertz‑optical science and technology with the most modern integrated photonic techniques.

• Develop miniaturised millimeter wave/terahertz oscillator and mixers and apply them to photonic circuits, together with their driving software/hardware, automatize measurement procedures.
• Simulate optical and mmW/THz properties using simulations software such as COMSOL or CST.
• Characterize samples in the lab.
• Model experimental data from first principles using Matlab/Python codes.
• Write scientific publications, file patents, disseminate work at national and international conferences.
• Maintain collaborations and deliver periodic reports that describe your progress within the project.

• M.Sc. in Physics or related fields, strong interest in high‑frequency electronics and integrated photonics, nonlinear optics, high‑frequency electronics, metrology and/or electro‑optic transduction are mandatory.
• Knowledgeable in Python, Matlab, Labview, Inventor, Illustrator, CST Microwave studio and Comsol (or willingness to learn).
• Enjoy thinking about difficult problems and solving them step by step.
• Hands‑on attitude and an interest for taking on new challenges are…