Positions in Amsterdam

We, the Amsterdam team, have two PhD and two postdoc positions within iqClock. On these positions you will work together with the Copenhagen group to develop a continuous superradiant clock operating on the kHz line of Sr (Tasks 2), with the Torun group to develop a continuous superradiant frequency standard operating on the Sr clock transition (Task 3) and together with the Vienna and Innsbruck theory groups to explore the foundations of continuous superradiant lasing on a dedicated apparatus (Task 4).

The basis of our contributions are the techniques we developed for our ongoing continuous atom laser project. We are able to create the Sr atomic beams with unprecedented brilliance and steady-state Sr samples close to quantum degeneracy, far beyond the performance presented in our last publication on the topic. A key aspect of our techniques is that the beam of ultracold Sr atoms is available in a region with very little laser cooling straylight. This fact is important for the creation of continuous superradiant lasers, since scattering of photons will lead to decoherence of the superradiantly lasing ensemble. In Task 2 we will simplify our technology and merge it with the Sr cavity QED know-how of the Copenhagen group to build a superradiant clock on the Sr kHz line. The source will be built and tested together with a Copenhagen team member in Amsterdam and then transported to Copenhagen. A more complex source will be designed for the continuous superradiant frequency standard (Task 3) that will be developed with the Torun group. One of the Amsterdam PhD students has the opportunity for an extended (1.5 year) stay in Torun to bring the superradiant laser to life. A third apparatus combining our continuous Sr source with a high finesse cavity will be built in Amsterdam and remain there to study fundamental aspects of superradiant lasing (Task 4). Our ideas range from the study of many-body effects in driven-interacting systems to cavity-cooling of a stream of atoms to quantum degeneracy, forming a continuous atom laser.

Dutch PhD theses take four years and therefore extend one year beyond the current funding for iqClock. The fourth year will be funded by the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam.

For more information please contact Florian Schreck. Our group webpage is www.strontiumBEC.com.
If you are interested in a position, you can apply here for a PhD or Postdoc position. We will consider applications as they are received with flexible starting dates, and the positions will remain open until suitable candidates have been identified.