PhD in Quantum Simulation Experiments with Trapped ions and ultracold atoms

Interacting (many-body) systems are ubiquitous in Nature, yet the universality in their building blocks enables us to simulate and study them using scale models in the laboratory. Trapped ions and ultracold neutral quantum gases are among the key platforms that facilitate this analog quantum simulation. However, to fully benefit from combining these fields and creating a hybrid ion-atom system, it is essential to understand, characterize, and control the interactions between the atoms and ions. Our experiments focus on this exploration and on using this knowledge to enhance our understanding of quantum chemistry, cold molecules, impurity physics, and quantum simulation of many-body systems. Hybrid ion-atom systems benefit both from the spatial localization and addressability of the ions as well as the long coherence times and scalability of the atoms.

In this PhD project, you will work in an AMO laboratory and build a new experimental setup that combines trapped ions with ultracold atoms. The goal is to study the interactions between a trapped ion impurity and an ultracold gas of atoms. The work will involve designing the ultra-high vacuum setup, setting up optics, lasers and electronics as well as, programming, scientific reporting and data measuring and analysis. You will work in an international team with one other PhD Students and the principal investigator.

SIntAQS - Coherence and Quantum technology Group

You will be part of the new research-lab, SIntAQS (link: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research- groups/coherence-and-quantum-technology/sintaqs/ ), within the Coherence and Quantum technology Group (link: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/coherence-and-quantum- technology/ ) at the applied physics department. Besides the atom-ion setup, the larger group is also working on Rydberg-base quantum computer both theoretically and experimentally. The group is part of the Center for quantum materials and technology (link: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/center-for-quantum-materials-and-technology- eindhoven/ ) and the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (link: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-institutes/eindhoven-hendrik-casimir-institute/ ).