Missions

Ultra-high resolution molecular spectroscopy and frequency metrology using cutting-edge mid-infrared technologies.

The project focuses on the development of ultra-high-resolution molecular spectrometers, employing cutting-edge mid-infrared (mid-IR) technologies. It is part of the project BIRD (Broadband mId-infRared semiconductor moDulators) funded by ANR. The successful applicant will be hosted at Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers (LPL), under the supervision of B. Darquié.

Key words: mid-infrared photonics, ultra-high resolution vibrational spectroscopy, frequency metrology, quantum cascade lasers, frequency comb lasers, Doppler-free spectroscopy, precision measurements, molecular physics, quantum physics, cold molecules, buffer-gas cooling, optics and lasers, vacuum techniques, electronics, microwave, cryogenics, programming and simulation.

Activities

LPL develops high-resolution spectrometers for precision vibrational spectroscopy of cold and room-temperature species in the gas phase for improving tests of fundamental physics and precision measurements in general. The successful applicant will work on exploiting cutting-edge mid-IR technologies in this context. Such technologies include (i) laser sources: sub-Hz mid-IR quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), QCLs in new regions of the mid-IR (λ beyond 15 µm)… (ii) novel both fast and broadband amplitude or phase modulators, (iii) other mid-IR photonics devices such as novel ultra-fast detectors (like QWIPs, quantum well infrared photodetectors) … In particular, the successful candidate will exploit integrated, high-efficiency, broadband (up to ~40 GHz bandwidth) mid-IR amplitude and phase modulators based on technologies developed by IEMN and C2N, both partners in the BIRD project. He/she will demonstrate the potential of these modulators for original applications in precision spectroscopy. This will necessitate to use metrology-grade QCLs and set-up demonstrators for frequency metrology and ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy.

This project will significantly advance the field of frequency metrology, mid-IR photonics and cold molecule research. It opens possibilities for using polyatomic molecules and mid-IR technologies to perform tests of fundamental physics and probe the limits of the standard model, and to explore applications in astrophysics and atmospheric sciences. The candidate will contribute to a leading-edge field, gaining expertise in state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies.

Skills

The applicant should have a PhD in a relevant area of experimental physics or chemical physics: molecular, atomic physics, spectroscopy, photonics, optics and lasers, quantum optics. She/he will be expected to display the initiative and creativity, together with the appropriate skills and knowledge, required to meet the project goals.

Work Context

The BIRD project funded by ANR is a collaboration between Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN), Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N) and Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers (LPL). The long-term goal is to develop integrated, high-efficiency, wide-band (up to ~40GHz) amplitude and phase modulators and to demonstrate their potential for high-resolution spectroscopy. The activity will take place at LPL, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, within the 'Metrology, Molecules and Fundamental Tests' team (MMFT), but the successful applicant will interact with all partners of the BIRD project and will thus have a decisive role to maximise the synergy between them.

Constraints and risks

Not applicable.