PhD student in quantum gases F/M M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

As part of the national PEPR Quantique program, the QUTISYM (Quantum Transport in Synthetic Materials) project, which brings together about ten research groups in France, focuses on the quantum simulation of transport phenomena. This PhD project, funded by QUTISYM, focuses specifically on the study of the superfluid dynamics of a cold atomic gas confined to the surface of an immaterial bubble, and subsequently in an annular waveguide.
The first part of the thesis will address non-equilibrium dynamics in a quasi-two-dimensional gas, where the atoms are trapped at the bottom of the bubble and set into rotation. Nucleation of vortices, vortex lattice organization and disorder, the vortex dynamics and lifetime in the rapidly rotating sample will be the focus of the first part of the thesis.
The second part of the thesis will be devoted to setting up a ring trap to enable the study of transport in this geometry, where the flow within the ring is quantized.

Your Work Environment

Superfluidity in quantum gases was observed shortly after they were first created. In particular, spinning the gas at moderate speeds led to the observation of vortices with quantized circulation. At very high rotational speeds, vortex lattices were observed. Recently, the BEC group at LPL achieved groundbreaking results by exploring the rapid rotation regime in a two-dimensional anharmonic trap: they demonstrated a supersonic flow regime and studied the melting of a vortex lattice triggered by thermal fluctuations. Previously, the team also achieved results in the study of annular quantum gases.
The research activity will take place at LPL, a joint research unit of Sorbonne Paris Nord University and the CNRS. The Bose-Einstein Condensates group (BEC group, see https://bec.lpl.univ-paris13.fr) has developed two experiments focusing on the dynamics of quantum gases. One of these experiments routinely produces a quantum rubidium gas confined in a bubble-shaped trap created using magnetic and radiofrequency fields. The resulting extremely smooth potential, whose geometry is fully controllable, allows for the study of collective modes in the gas and its controlled rotation.
The student will be supervised by Hélène Perrin (CNRS Research Director) and co-supervised by Laurent Longchambon, associate professor at Sorbonne Paris Nord University. A research engineer, a CNRS research fellow, a postdoctoral researcher, and a doctoral student will also be involved in the project, which is funded by the PEPR Quantique program (QUTISYM project). The BEC group also includes a CNRS researcher, another associate professor, and another PhD student, who are primarily involved in the other experimental setup. The group is part of the laboratory's broader `Quantum Gases' research axis, which comprises about twenty researchers. The successful candidate will benefit from a stimulating work environment within the QUTISYM project (11 research groups, including several theorists and other doctoral students with whom to collaborate) and beyond. The BEC team also collaborates with several experimental and theoretical groups, including Anna Minguzzi at the LPMMC in Grenoble, Patrizia Vignolo and Sergey Nazarenko at the Institute of Physics in Nice, Makoto Tsubota at Osaka University, Vanderlei Bagnato and Patricia Castilho at the University of São Paulo, Maxim Olshanii at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Thorsten Schumm at TUW Vienna.

Constraints and risks

Class IV laser: Protective eyewear must be worn. Electrical hazards: High voltage is used.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions