Missions

The post-doctoral fellow will work on a dipolar quantum gas experiment using chromium atoms. The host team studies out-of-equilibrium quantum magnetism with spin systems interacting at a distance in optical lattices, and in particular seeks to measure the development of entanglement in these systems accompanying the phenomenon of quantum thermalization. The person recruited will first contribute to the assembly of the new UHV experiment chamber, and to the installation of the new laser cooling and trapping system. He/she will play a leading role in obtaining a BEC, then in loading it into an optical lattice. She will set up the new tools that the team has planned to go beyond its previous studies, in order to obtain new results on the physics of interacting N-body systems.

Activités

The post-doctoral fellow will join the Magnetic Quantum Gases group of the Laser Physics Laboratory. His/her first objective will be to obtain lattice chromium quantum gases in a new, more stable and more flexible experimental environment. Secondly, he/she will be actively involved in studying the collective spin properties of an ensemble of typically 10^4 atoms trapped in 2D geometry, by measuring the quantum fluctuations of its components, to obtain evidence of entanglement.
The basic technical tools for this activity are CW lasers, ultra-high vacuum systems, locking systems and fluorescence imaging. The person recruited and the team will also work together to develop new skills in adaptive optics, in order to explore new trapping geometries; and will set up new tools designed to improve the repeatability of the experiment (vacuum coils for better control of a radio-frequency field), and control of the magnetic field (measurement close to the atoms by spectroscopy).

Compétences

The successful candidate must have a PhD in laser-matter interaction, and excellent experimental skills. Experience in cold atom physics (laser cooling), quantum optics or atomic clocks would be a definite advantage, and an interest in N-body quantum physics would be welcome. The person recruited should also have excellent teamwork skills.

Contexte de travail

Dipolar lattice gases are highly relevant systems for the study of quantum magnetism. Magnetic atoms have enabled us to obtain original results compared with other available platforms (Rydberg, molecules), as they can be loaded into an optical lattice in a low-entropy state.
The reconstruction phase of the chromium experiment is an opportunity for the candidate to acquire knowledge regarding the sophisticated experimental techniques for ultra-cold atoms. He/she will also be able to express its scientific creativity thanks to the great flexibility of the experiment.
The work will be carried out in the Laser Physics Laboratory. The Magnetic Quantum Gases group (GQM, https://gqm.lpl.univ-paris13.fr/ ) has developed three experiments to study the magnetic properties of large-spin atoms, the other two experiments studying the properties of strontium. Two other LPL experiments use alkalis (sodium, rubidium). All in all, the candidate will be joining a laboratory that is very active in the field of ultra-cold gases, with a wide range of subjects of study, from turbulence to super-radiant lasers.
Two teacher-researchers, a CNRS researcher and a CNRS research engineer are involved in the project. Two teacher-researchers, a CNRS researcher, a post-doc and three PhD students also work in the GQM group.
We have forged fruitful collaborations with theorists to interpret our results. Last but not least, the LPL provides solid support for our projects with its electronics, mechanics and optics workshops.

Contraintes et risques

Risks associated with the use of CW lasers. Safety goggles must be worn.