PhD Studentship in Portable Atomic Clocks (2019)

What you get

£14,777 (2018-19) per year tax-free bursary plus the waiver of UK/EU fees each year for 3.5 years. Full-time study.

This amount can be supplemented by tutoring.

The position includes an additional yearly travel allowance for attending conferences and workshops.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

The currently most precise atomic clocks are based on optical transitions within neutral atoms or trapped atomic ions. With frequency uncertainties on the order of 1 second in 30 billion years, these systems supersede current atomic clocks based on microwave transitions. 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. Utilising 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.

After successful testing the portable clock system, the project aims to explore novel schemes to eliminate systematic frequency shifts due to electric and magnetic fields. Finally, the clocks performance will be evaluated by comparing its stability with primary and secondary frequency standards at the NPL.

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

As part of the National Quantum Technology Programme to commercialise quantum technologies, the project includes the investigation of potential commercialisation pathways for the atomic clock system and its components.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a UK undergraduate degree in physics or a related subject. Due to funding restrictions, the studentship is open to UK and EU resident students only. However, we also welcome applications from self-funded non-EU students.

Deadline

18 April 2019 23:45

How to apply

Online applications at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply.

State in the Funding section of the application form that you are applying for the "PhD Studentships in Experimental Atomic Physics" choosing a September 2019 start date. 

Sponsors

The award includes an additional training grant of £1650 p.a. for short courses, books, travel. conferences etc.

Additional funding may also be available to support placements with outside partners for a further period of six months in total.

Contact us

For further information about the project, please get in touch with Prof Matthias Keller.

For practical questions about the application process and/or eligibility for funding, please contact: mpsresearchsupport@sussex.ac.uk

Timetable

Application deadline: Please apply as soon as possible as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Early application is advised. The studentship will be allocated as soon as a suitable candidate is found.