PhD on Coherent Feed-Forward Control in Photonic Quantum Systems

PhD on Coherent Feed-Forward Control in Photonic Quantum Systems

Photonic quantum technologies rely on the generation, manipulation, and measurement of non-classical states of light. In scalable

architectures, measurement outcomes often need to be converted into real-time control operations, for example, for feedforward,

adaptive measurements, quantum-state conditioning, or error-correction-inspired protocols. Conventional electronic

control chains based on detection, digitisation, digital processing, and electro-optic actuation provide great flexibility, but they

can also introduce latency, bandwidth limitations, electronic noise, and synchronisation challenges. This doctoral project will

investigate how coherent and low-latency control methods can overcome these limitations and enable more programmable

photonic quantum systems.

The PhD project will focus on the experimental development of coherent feed-forward control in optical quantum systems. The

work will involve the generation and characterisation of non-classical states of light, high-bandwidth optical detection, real-time

control of optical fields, and the benchmarking of electronic, electro-optic, and hybrid coherent control strategies. It will draw on

recent progress in GHz-range homodyne detection, parametric homodyne readout, and all-optical feed-forward, while remaining

rooted in experimentally accessible table-top quantum optics. The project will have a particular focus on the controlled

manipulation of optical phase and amplitude. Depending on the candidates background and interests, additional emphasis may

be placed on analogue and digital electronics, high-bandwidth detection, numerical modelling, or control protocols for

continuous-variable quantum information processing and quantum-enhanced metrology. As part of a newly established research

group, the doctoral candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the scientific direction, experimental capabilities, and

collaborative research culture of the group from an early stage.

Project concept

Quantum-state generation

squeezed light, homodyne detection

Limits of conventional

electronic control

latency, bandwidth,

noise, synchronisation

Coherent feed-forward

control

optical/electro-optic

real-time actuation

Programmable photonic

quantum systems

continuous-variable QIP

and quantum metrology

In this doctoral project the following techniques and tasks will be applied and developed further:

- Generation and characterisation of non-classical states of light, in particular squeezed states

- Development of optical and electro-optic feed-forward control schemes

- Exploration of coherent and parametric optical control concepts beyond purely electronic feed-forward

- High-bandwidth homodyne detection

- Benchmarking of latency, noise, bandwidth, and stability in different control architectures

- Proof-of-principle experiments towards programmable photonic quantum systems

- Numerical modelling, data analysis, and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals

Requirements:

- Masters degree in physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field

- Strong interest in experimental quantum optics and photonic quantum technologies

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively

- Motivation to work at the interface of quantum optics, control, and photonic quantum information processing

- Experience in optics laboratories, lasers, electronics, control systems, or scientific programming is advantageous

PhD supervisor: Dr. Jonas Junker

Application: Please send a CV, a short motivation letter, certificates, and contact details of referees to