Funding is available for a studentship working to develop germanium on silicon single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) photodetectors designed for operation in quantum communications systems. The work will be undertaken in the Semiconductor Devices Group at Glasgow which demonstrated the first Ge on Si SPAD photodetectors and more recently record breaking single photon detection efficiencies (see Nature Comms. 10, 1086 (2019)). The group is the global pioneer of these devices and has a significant lead in this silicon-based technology at short wave infrared wavelengths which are essential for a number of quantum technology applications including quantum communications, quantum computing, quantum imaging and single photon lidar.
The work will be supervised by Prof Douglas Paul who holds a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies and it is aiming to deliver a new design of Ge on Si SPAD devices which can be easily coupled to optical fibres for use in quantum key distribution and quantum communication test systems. The work will include designing devices, being trained to fabricate devices in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre combined with characterisation of the devices using electronic and optical techniques. The successful student will be working in a research group with access to the top researchers in academia and industry from the UK Quantum Technology programme and internationally through collaborations. The work is funded by a PhD studentship from the UK Quantum Communications Hub and there will be frequent opportunities to travel to collaborators both in the UK and internationally as well as presenting results and listening to the top researchers at the leading international conferences in the field.
Funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK applicants for 3.5 years, as well as paying a stipend at the Research Council rate (estimated £15,840, for Session 2022-23).
Deadline to apply: 31 March 2022
Further information on the position and how to apply can be found on the Find a PhD website.
