As a researcher, I worked on development of an atomic optical clock – a laboratory device, measuring second with 10-16 accuracy. My responsibilities covered the full scope of research activities, from planning experiments and assembling setups to analyzing measurement data and communicating the results.
Optics
• Design, assemble and adjust free-space and fibre optical setups (AOMs, EOMs, waveplates, Faraday isolators, control beam profile and polarisation)
• Resonators - Fabry-Perot cavities, ring resonators. Modeling, design, assembling, alignment, mode matching, stabilisation
• Imaging system and photodetection. Calibration, design, assempling, alignment
• Spectroscopy. Atomic absorption spectroscopy. Lasers’ spectral characteristics measurement.
• Laser frequency stabilisation. High-fineness cavities (ULE), saturated absorption, Pound-Drever-Hall, Hansch-Couillaud
Lasers
• Commercial lasers (continuous-wave titan-sapphire and diode lasers), frequency doublers. Troubleshoot, clean, align and maintain.
• Tapered amplifiers – install, align, correct beam profile.
• Home-made frequency-doublers. Design and calculate enhancement cavity (matrix optics calculation), assemble, adjust
• Home-made diode lasers, 410 nm. Design and assemble optomechanics, temperature stabilisation, injection-locking
Electronics
• PID loops - laser frequency stabilisation. Piezo ceramics - cavities length, current control, temperature stabilisation
• RF modulation, setup and troubleshoot RF generators and amplifiers
• Troubleshoot electronics
• Solder custom electronics and connectors. Photodetectors, filters.
• Noise minimisation.
Data analysis and Programming
• Python and Mathematica
• Measured data analysis, fitting, modelling
• Image processing
• Numerical simulation, statistical analysis
Vacuum
• Vacuum chambers assembling and backing, down to 10-8 mbar
• Setup turbo-molecular pumps, ion pumps
Technical writing
• Articles. Writing, collaboration with coauthors, convey idea and support it with measured evidences
• Information processing. Analyse a large volume of technical information, structure it and extract the essence.
• Funding proposals. Generate ideas, feasibility study, plan research activities and budget.
• Reports. Internal for weekly meetings, annual internal reports and external reports for funding agencies.
• Lab journal. Document all laboratory activities, including modifications made to the setup and records of measurements taken
Communication
• Teaching. Course on light-matter interaction for students, course program and educational materials, lectures and examinations.
• Search information from diverse sources, structure it into a consistent narrative, and explain it in an accessible manner
• Present research results at conferences and meetings
Management
• Planning measurement activities, coordinate work of the group, supervision of master students
• Equipment purchases. Plan budget, find suppliers, required specifications for tender, contracts, acceptance reports
• Facilitate workshops, seminars. Member of organisation committee of two international conferences.
