Faculty of Science URSA PhD Project: Interfacing atomic vapours with quantum communications by quantum teleportation

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition, for entry in September 2025.

Overview of the Research:

Quantum communication is a rapidly developing field with diverse applications including information security and cryptography, sensing, and distributed quantum computing. Quantum entanglement can be distributed over long distances through a fibre-optic channel (typically transmitting light around 1550nm) but must then be coherently stored and processed in a material system. One such platform is rubidium vapour, which couples to light at 780nm. A major challenge in the development of the “quantum internet” is bridging this wavelength gap to efficiently interface these two platforms.

In this project we will use quantum teleportation to coherently transport entanglement from the output of a telecoms channel to a rubidium-compatible wavelength. The project will begin with the design and fabrication of two identical non-degenerate entangled photon pair sources in photonic crystal fibre. These sources will emit entangled photon pairs- one at 780nm, the other at 1550nm. We will interface these sources with a rubidium atomic vapour cloud, demonstrating coherent, optically controlled processing of the 780nm signal. We will then implement an entanglement-swapping procedure on the 1550nm outputs of the two sources, entangling the two rubidium-compatible signals with an intervening long-range channel between them. The student will thus contribute a major step towards building long-range quantum communications infrastructure.

The University of Bath is a global centre of expertise in microstructured optical fibre and its applications in quantum technologies. The student will have access to essential infrastructure including a rubidium vapour filling station, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), and a fibre fabrication facility, giving them the opportunity to develop and test novel fibre designs in-house. The supervisory team will consist of Dr Kristina Rusimova, who will contribute expertise in fibre fabrication and interactions in atomic vapours, and Dr Alex Davis, who will supervise the source development and entanglement swapping phases of the project.

Project keywords: Entanglement, quantum technologies, photonics, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, quantum networks, photonic crystal fibre, atomic vapours.

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in physics or a closely allied subject. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement by the application deadline.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Alexander Davis – aocd20@bath.ac.uk

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Physics prior to the closing date of this advert.

IMPORTANT:

When completing the application form:

1.      In the Funding your studies section, select ‘University of Bath URSA’ as the studentship for which you are applying.

2.      In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes. 

Failure to complete these two steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website. 

PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.