Post-doctorat Physique Quantique, Atomes Froids et Lasers (H/F)

27 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Laboratoire de physique des lasers

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Jun 2023 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The post-doctoral fellow will join the Quantum Magnetic Gases group of the Laser Physics Laboratory. The objective will be to participate in the construction of the new superradiant laser, and to perform the first scientific studies of the behavior of this system. The work is at the interface of fundamental physics, with the study of an open quantum system with quantum correlations; and of the application to frequency metrology, given the very low spectral sensitivity of this source to perturbations of the optical cavity - unlike a "usual" laser.
The basic technical tools of this activity are continuous lasers, an ultravacuum system, and the servo electronic systems. The person recruited and the team will also develop new skills in detection and frequency metrology methods: photon correlation measurements, spectrum measurements, and ultimately comparison with an external frequency reference provided by the LNE-SYRTE metrology laboratory and disseminated by the Refimeve+ network.

The post-doctoral fellow will contribute to experiments leading to the realization of a superradiant laser in the continuous regime. The system consists of a beam of strontium atoms, excited on a narrow line, passing within an optical cavity. The superradiance phenomenon should ensure a continuous emission, which is of great interest as a frequency reference - the basic brick of an atomic optical clock. The person recruited will join us for the last stages of construction of the experimental apparatus, then for a first fundamental study of the operating regimes of this new light source, based on quantum correlations between atoms; as well as a characterization of the properties of the light, in connection with several metrology teams, in order to explore the possibility of applications of these systems. The realization of the continuous regime would be a world first, with a strong impact in view of applications to frequency metrology.

The superradiant laser is a promising system as an active clock. Several spectacular realizations have been obtained in the last few years, but they have never been compatible with a steady state. Our device takes advantage of a "moderately" narrow line (7 kHz) to realize a steady state from a cold atom beam, with considerably smaller complexity, without ever trapping the atoms. The approach thus follows a different path from most current projects, which target an operation on an extremely fine line, and involve a more complex method of manipulating ultra-cold atoms.
The activity will take place in the Laser Physics Laboratory. The Magnetic Quantum Gases group (http://www-lpl.univ-paris13.fr/gqm/ ) has developed two experiments on the magnetic properties of large spin atoms. One of these two experiments operates with the strontium atom, whose properties are suitable for the realization of superradiant lasers. Consequently, the new superradiant laser device uses the same atom, and benefits from a strong synergy with the existing ultra-cold strontium experiment: duplication of technological solutions, sharing of frequency references, and, on a day-to-day basis, joint participation in scientific discussions allowing to explore all the connections between the two systems.
The superradiant laser device is under construction. The lasers have been installed, the device producing the strontium beam has been entirely built, and put under vacuum. The Fabry-Perot cavity in which the laser effect will take place has been assembled, and will be put under vacuum very soon.
Two CNRS researchers and one CNRS research engineer are involved in the project. The research group also includes three research professors, a post-doctoral student, and two PhD thesis students, involved in ultra-cold atom devices. Our project is built in close collaboration with Marion Delehaye's team (FEMTO-ST), for the joint development of two superradiant lasers in complementary regimes, as well as with Igor Ferrier Barbut's team (LCF), for the understanding of the fundamental physics of superradiance. Close links with the local metrology teams at LPL (Benoit Darquié) and at LNE-SYRTE (R. Le Targat) allow the development of spectral comparisons.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

The candidate should have a strong background in AMO experimental physics, cold atom physics. An interest in quantum many-body physics, atomic clocks or quantum optics would be appreciated. He/she should possess an excellent team spirit for this collective experimental effort.

Additional comments

Project funded by the FIRST-TF call for proposals, SureCo project (Superradiance in Continuous Regime), and ANR CONSULA (Continuous Superradiant Laser), in collaboration with Marion Delehaye's team (FEMTO-ST, Besançon). Other project funding: DIM SIRTEQ Mi-Lourd FSTOL project (From Superradiance To Lasing), in collaboration with Igor Ferrier-Barbut (Laboratoire Charles Fabry).
Website of the research team: http://www-lpl.univ-paris13.fr/gqm/

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7538-BRULAB-014/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de physique des lasers

Country

France

City

VILLETANEUSE

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR7538-BRULAB-014/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

VILLETANEUSE

Website

http://www-lpl.univ-paris13.fr

STATUS: EXPIRED