Experiments in Optofluidics in the Quantum Machines Unit

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST; see www.oist.jp) is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding (OIST campus video tour). There are no academic departments, which facilitates multidisciplinary research. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration. English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research.

Unit Summary:

The Quantum Machines Unit undertakes research focused on hybrid quantum systems –which brings together two or more quantum systems to function together to perform some useful action, e.g. developing ultra-precise sensors, exploring fundamental issues in quantum science, or quantum information processing. We are particularly interested in developing new applications from our research. Such applications are spin-offs from our primary research into quantum technology. We are particularly interested in applications that use opto-fluidics: the control of light fields using fluids. Fluids can be used to manipulate light fields, and by manipulating the fluid one can manipulate the light field. This project is tightly focused to develop near-commercial prototypes of applications related to these concepts. These prototypes could have uses in a very wide range of end-user devices.

Position Summary

We are searching for technical support to developed prototype devices using opto-fluidics. This will involve research activity in numerical simulations (Mathematica or Matlab or Python or COMSOL), experiments involving optics (lasers, detectors, sensors), electronics (for sensors), data analysis, experiments using fluids, materials design (CAD), and assembly.