A next-generation worldwide quantum sensor network with optical atomic clocks

In our project we will establish, with our scientific partners, the first earth-scale quantum sensor network based on optical atomic clocks with the coordination and research centre located at KL FAMO in Toruń. The network of such detectors can be used as a state-of-the-art global sensor in a wide range of sectors from applications in geodesy, satellite navigation and environmental monitoring, including monitoring changes in ocean currents, oil and gas surveying, monitoring environmental changes such as melting of the polar ice caps and volcanic processes that take place before an eruption, to basic science and metrology. Although such network is naturally suited for a number of utilitarian purposes, in this project we will demonstrate its operation for the case of much more challenging fundamental studies. We will use it as an Earth-scale observatory for detecting dark matter in the form of topological defects and oscillating scalar fields and test existing hypotheses of new fields beyond the Standard Model at an unprecedented level of accuracy.

The senior position will be a part of:
Theme 2: Development of a new generation of optical sensors with enhanced detection limit for the variations in α and other fundamental constant and should provide the necessary competences in the ultra-cold atoms physics and technology

f17 USOQS Ultra-stable optical oscillators from quantum coherent and entangled systems

The overall objective of this project is to realize a new generation of ultra-stable optical oscillators which take advantage of quantum technologies. The overall objective is to implement, study and characterize both established and brand-new methods to develop quantum-enhanced optical oscillators toward 10-17 instability at one second. The specific objective of the project that will be achieved at our laboratory is to develop an active frequency standard based on optically-trapped ultra-cold atoms with engineered lattice topologies to supersede thermal-noise limited optical cavities.

More information is available at http://www.fizyka.umk.pl/~castle page.