Experimental quantum optics. Semiconductor physics

This experimental project will investigate the physics of Rydberg states of excitons in Cu2O and their coupling to microwave fields. It is closely related to the EPSRC proposal Hybrid Quantum Systems of Excitons and Semiconductors (EP/X038556/1).

Rydberg excitons provide strong coupling to optical and microwave fields and are easily prepared at the ultracold temperatures used in superconducting quantum devices.

Our consortium recently became the first group to use Rydberg excitons to map a microwave signal onto light, and in this project, we will extend this work into the quantum regime.

We will develop the methods required to physically integrate Rydberg excitons and superconducting circuits together, and study ways to maximise the coupling between them, as well as tackling the challenge of reducing optical losses in the conversion process.