SULI - PHY - Cockrell, Theophilos - 6.23.26

The student will work with Argonne scientists, engineers, postdocs, and graduate students to build an experimental platform for quantum communication based on ytterbium. Specifically, the student will focus on building vacuum, laser, and optical systems which utilize laser cooling, trapping and manipulation of atoms at 556 nm to push atoms that are collected in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT) to a three-dimensional (3D) MOT. The student will optimize the operation of the 3D MOT to maximize the number of atoms trapped, cool the atoms to ultracold temperatures, and prepare them for subsequent trapping systems. Following this work, the student will set up laser and optical systems to continuously transfer atoms from the MOT to a moving optical lattice. The Optical lattice will be used to continuously transfer ultracold-atoms from the MOT to a science chamber where they will be transferred to optical tweezers and strongly coupled to an optical cavity for applications in quantum communications. We expect the student’s work to result in a publication reporting the performance of the experimental system they have developed.

Education and Experience Requirements

• The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.

 • Applicants must be:

•  Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution.

• Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or

• Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution

 • Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.

• Must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident at the time of application.

• If accepting an offer, must pass a screening drug test.

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EEO Information

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.