We have an open PhD position on ultracold Fermi gases. The topic of ultracold Fermi gases currently is very "hot" because it holds the promise to achieve quantum simulation of complex quantum systems that cannot be modeled otherwise. In recent years, it has become possible to assemble strongly correlated quantum many-body systems in a bottom-up approach using ultracold atomic quantum gases. This novel approach has created the purest and most widely tunable “materials” in which quantum many-body physics can be studied. They are considered ideal candidates for both unravelling the mysteries of observed, but not yet understood effects in the solid state and for realizing completely new quantum phases, very much in the sense of Feynman’s concept of a “quantum simulator”. Perhaps most importantly, cold atomic gases provide an ideal testing ground for non-equilibrium evolution because the tuneability is very rapid compared to the typical energy/time scales of the system and the dynamics remains coherent for long times by virtue of their weak coupling to the environment.

In this PhD project we plan to explore two-dimensional Fermi gases with a specific focus on high-resolution imaging and local manipulation of the gas. In-situ imaging of a two-dimensional Fermi gas in an optical lattice will reveal its low-temperature quantum phases such as the Mott insulator or the antiferromagnet. Of particular interest for the PhD project will be the dynamics of these phases, i.e. how they form and how they respond to perturbations and to dissipative coupling, e.g. by near-resonant light. Usually, dissipation is linked to heating and decoherence, however, recently it has been theoretically predicted that suitably tailored dissipation could -- quite counterintuitively -- actually stabilize complex (and yet unobserved) quantum phases.

You should have a strong interest in performing experiments at the forefront of quantum physics. Background knowledge in relevant topics (quantum gases, optical lattices, quantum metrology, laser cooling, ...) and technology (optics, lasers, UHV systems, electronics, data acquisition) is beneficial. We will provide a stimulating environment to perform research on the cutting edge of both science and technology. The research efforts take place in a small team with PhD students and postdocs.