This interdisciplinary PhD project (50% chemistry – 50% physics), located at INSA-Toulouse, aims to advance the state of the art in the creation of emerging synthetic quantum materials and their application in quantum technologies.
In particular, cuprite (Cu₂O) is a remarkable semiconductor that exhibits excitons (electron-hole pairs) of gigantic size (>1000 times larger than normal [1]), known as 'Rydberg excitons'. By analogy with their atomic counterparts (Rydberg atoms) and their numerous successes in quantum technologies [2-3], Rydberg excitons represent an emerging platform with great potential for implementing integrated quantum devices within a semiconductor.
However, currently, only natural materials have the required purity for such devices. These natural crystals are difficult to structure and are becoming increasingly rare (as the mines that produce them are being depleted). Finding a chemical synthesis route to produce high-purity artificial Cu₂O, which can also be structured at will, is therefore a major and urgent challenge for Cu₂O-based quantum technologies.
This three-year PhD, which is funded by INSA-Toulouse (BTES-INSA), will be conducted at the Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets (LPCNO) starting in October 2025. It includes a 15000€ allowance for conferences.
The PhD student will be trained in ultra-precise optical measurements of excitons and will explore multiple synthesis methods for Cu₂O. The most promising approach involves the direct growth of Cu₂O microcrystals under hydrothermal conditions (aqueous synthesis at high pressure). These conditions tend to produce crystalline particles with well-defined exposed facets. The crystals/particles obtained through these methods will be characterized using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction before being used for their quantum properties.
Desired Profile:
• Background in Condensed Matter Physics and/or Chemistry, Materials Science specialization
• Curiosity, motivation and scientific rigor
• Strong communication and writing skills, in English and/or French
References:
[1] Kazimierczuk, Tomasz, et al. "Giant Rydberg excitons in the copper oxide Cu₂O." Nature 514.7522 (2014): 343-347.
[2] Saffman, Mark, Thad G. Walker, and Klaus Mølmer. "Quantum information with Rydberg atoms." Reviews of Modern Physics 82.3 (2010): 2313.
[3] Peyronel, T, et al. "Quantum nonlinear optics with single photons enabled by strongly interacting atoms." Nature 488.7409 (2012): 57-60.
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