PhD Position Scalable Fabrication of Diamond Nanophotonics for Quantum Computers

Join our group to help build a scalable, practical quantum computer!

We have an open PhD position at TU Delft in the exciting new area of scalable nanophotonic fabrication of diamonds with color centers for quantum computers.

Efficient realization of large-scale nanophotonic structures in diamond coupled with color centers will enable control and readout of a large number of integrated qubits with many interconnects with a small pitch, improving the performance and realizing a compact, scalable spin quantum computing system.

 Specifically, the candidate is expected to focus on the development of a thin diamond-on-insulator (DOI) substrate and reliable fabrication and testing methods for large-scale diamond nanophotonics with spin qubits on the developed DOI platform.  This will allow 1) a standard photonic-grade, diamond substrate (DOI) platform for diamond photonic integrated circuits, 2) the realization of large-scale photonic circuits using standard fabrication process flow,  3) improve fabrication accuracy, reliability, and production yield towards industrial scale, 4) efficient light-matter interface, qubit manipulation and 5) reliable optical interconnection for a practical, on-chip quantum computing system with large-scale integrated spin qubits in diamond. Challenges in the efficient realization of such a system are uniformly thinning and polishing a photonic-grade DOI substrate, optimal design of the photonic systems, controlling fabrication imperfection and yields of spin qubit activation, positioning, low-temperature testing of large-scale diamond photonic circuits with spin qubits.

The DOI substrate, color center incorporation, and large-scale diamond nanophotonic structures will be designed in-house, fabricated/realized in appropriate cleanrooms/foundry, and optically characterized at cryogenic temperatures. Most of the substrate and device fabrications, and qubit activations will take place in TU Delft cleanrooms. TU Delft has two world-class cleanrooms, the candidate will work at both of them depending on necessary resources and processes. The diamond photonic circuits with embedded color center spin qubits will be first tested at low temperatures and then will be integrated into a 3D stack that contains necessary interconnections, qubit control elements,  driver/control electronics using cryo-CMOS, and optical-electrical interfaces. The qubits are optically coupled and controlled on-chip and inside a cryostat and the fidelity of the basic quantum operation will be characterized.

The student has an opportunity to closely collaborate with QuTech, TNO and TU Delft experimentalists and theorists who are actively developing this hardware on campus.

Quantum Computing

QuTech is a mission-driven research institute founded by the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Together, we work on a radically new technology with world-changing potential. Our ambition is to develop scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and an intrinsically safe quantum internet.

The position is in the group of Dr. Salahuddin Nur. At Delft University of Technology, the group is a part of Quantum Circuits, Architectures and Technology (QCAT) section, the Department of Quantum & Computer Engineering (QCE) in EEMCS. The candidate will actively participate the QuTech-Fujitsu partnership, and also in multidisciplinary collaboration with colleagues within QuTech and the Department of Quantum and Computer Engineering. As such, it offers the opportunity to conduct work leading to real-world implementations on state-of-the-art quantum hardware.

• You have a master’s degree in microelectronics, photonics, electrical engineering, applied physics, or a comparable discipline at the time of taking on the position.
• Prior courses in photonics and/or experience in nanofabrication inside a cleanroom will be highly appreciated. While a prior course in quantum information is a plus, no prior knowledge of this is required.
• Any experience with optical spectroscopy, characterization of photonic devices, and/or ODMR experiment techniques will be a plus.
• You enjoy working in a team and bring excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. S. Nur email: [email protected].

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please press the apply button below and upload the following documents:

• A cover letter explaining your personal motivation in pursuing a PhD, including how you see the PhD fitting into your career trajectory;
• A CV, which should include details of your eligibility;
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc);
• Other information for consideration, e.g., master thesis, scientific publications, professional or popular science writing.

Applications can be submitted by 15th March 2024. Applications are evaluated with interviews. The starting date for this PhD will be no later than March 2024.…     

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.