3.5 year PhD positions are available in the Ion Trap Cavity-QED and Molecular Physics (ITCM) Group in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex.

The project is within the Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology and in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory.

The positions come with an annual stipend of £14,553 (2017/18) which can be supplemented by tutoring. The position includes an additional yearly travel allowance for conferences and workshops.

For more information please contact Dr Matthias Keller (m.k.keller@sussex.ac.uk) and visit the group's web page at www.itcm-sussex.com

The currently most precise atomic clocks are based on optical transitions within neutral atoms or trapped atomic ions. Despite their superior performance, these optical clocks are still constrained to the research labs due to their high power consumption and the volume of the required infrastructure. The aim of the project is to develop and implement technologies to build a portable atomic clock based on trapped calcium ions. Utilizing the advances in optical fibre technology and laser development, an all-fibre system will be set up and tested. Integrating optical fibres into the ion trap structure for fluorescence collection and light delivery as well as an all-fibre laser system ensures the stability and compact size of the optical clock. The project includes developing a compact laser system for generating, cooling, and interrogating the ions, integrating all optical components in to the ion trapping structure, building the required electronic control system as well as designing of the vacuum system. The heart of the clock is an ultra-stable laser (clock laser) which will be developed in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory. The project provides hands-on training from the construction of state-of-the-art ion trap systems through to high resolution spectroscopy.