Funding

Funded (UK/EU students only)

Project code

SMAP8461023

Department

School of Mathematics and Physics

Start dates

February 2023

Application deadline

31 October 2023

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in February 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Technology, and will be supervised by Dr Vincenzo Tamma at University of Portsmouth and Professor Paolo Facchi at the University of Bari. 

Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24).Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

The theoretical work on this project could involve:

  • Enhancing the quantum information capabilities of multiphoton interferometric schemes beyond standard boson sampling based on measurements which resolve the photonic inner-mode parameters

  • Enhancing the sensing capabilities of multiphoton interferometers by exploiting scalable and feasible sources, such as single photons, and thermal light, and the photonic inner-mode structure of interfering photons as a quantum resource

     

The overall field of quantum metrology and quantum information science has reached an enormous progress establishing a quantum era where practical applications in quantum information networks, navigation, high precision sensing and imaging for military, security, and biomedical applications. 

A crucial step towards such a desired quantum technological revolution is to achieve a quantum advantage in quantum information processing and high precision measurements with respect to current schemes. Multi-photon interference is one of the most intriguing quantum phenomena at the very heart of quantum computing and sensing applications, including the implementation of boson sampling schemes and the ability to measure physical parameters with higher and higher precision. 

The overarching goal of this theoretical project is to introduce novel platforms for multiphoton quantum information processing and sensing with easily accessible photonic sources, such as heralded spontaneous parametric down conversion or thermal light. The theoretical project aims to exploit the full quantum information available in the given photonic system, including their inner mode degrees of freedom (time, position, frequency, transverse momentum, etc.). 

Such an approach can enable access to the full computational and metrological power of multi-photon interference beyond any classical capability, with applications which can range from quantum information processing to high-precision sensing.

The PhD student will benefit from the experience of the supervisory team in quantum information processing and from the international and interdisciplinary environment within the Quantum Science and Technology Hub (QSTH) at the University of Portsmouth, including a highly interactive research group in quantum technologies and quantum optics led by Dr. V. Tamma, QSTH founding director, the established successful collaboration with the group of Prof. Facchi at the University of Bari and collaborations with leading international experimental groups as well as with industry.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

We are looking for talented and ambitious UK/EU graduates with a good first degree in Physics with strong interest in quantum optics and quantum metrology.

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Vincenzo Tamma  (vincenzo.tamma@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SMAP8461023 when applying and submit all required documentation, including two reference letters.