Recent Submissions

A variety of optimization techniques applied in the context of quantum information theory 

Mortimer, Luke Bailey (Date of defense: 2025-10-06)

(English) The thesis considers a number of optimisation techniques applied in the context of quantum information theory. After a pedagogical introduction of both quantum information theory and optimisation, it considers ...

Excitons in motion: linking structure and transport in energy materials 

Gerfo Morganti, Giulia Lo (Date of defense: 2025-06-27)

(English) The growing global energy demand, coupled with the need to reduce CO2 emissions, highlights the urgency of developing sustainable energy solutions. Despite its vast potential, solar energy remains underutilized ...

Exciton engineering for quantum confinement in an electrostatically defined PN-junction 

Heithoff, Maximilian (Date of defense: 2025-06-04)

(English) We investigate the physics of quantum-confined excitons in an electrostatically defined PN junction. Such a PN junction can be generated in an encapsulated monolayer MoSe2 along the patterned edge of a top-gate ...

Probing structural coherence across a light-induced double phase transition 

Amuah, Emmanuel Baffu (Date of defense: 2025-06-11)

(English) Strongly-correlated materials have emerged as one of the most active areas of research in Condensed Matter Physics. Interests in these materials arise mainly from the pliability of their properties, offering the ...

Bridging fast volumetric imaging and mechanical stimulation: a platform for studying mechanosensitive neurons functionality onset in C. elegans embryos 

Agazzi, Costanza (Date of defense: 2025-06-27)

(English) In Caenorhabditis elegans, the embryo develops within the protective confines of an eggshell, shielded from direct interactions with the outside world. In this isolated environment, neuronal mechanosensory circuits, ...

Near-field photocurrent in correlated 2D moiré materials 

Batlle Porro, Sergi (Date of defense: 2025-05-30)

(English) Since the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials have garnered significant attention from the condensed matter physics community owing to their potential to engineer new physical, optical, and ...

Quantum adventures from analog to digital: gauge, scars and laughlin 

Andrade, Bárbara (Date of defense: 2025-05-27)

(English) This is a thesis in theoretical physics about analog quantum simulations, digital quantum simulations (quantum computing), and quantum state preparation using different quantum platforms (neutral atoms, trapped ...

Photon counting with a single neutral atom: quantum efficiency, dark counts, and background rejection 

Zarraoa Sardón, Laura (Date of defense: 2025-02-27)

(English) This thesis studies the use of a single trapped neutral 87Rb atom as a photon counter. Detection of quantum jumps (QJs), i.e., abrupt changes between atomic states observable by a change in atomic fluorescence, ...

Nanocavities and molecules: polaritons and their dynamic interactions 

Borkar, Saurabh Ishwar (Date of defense: 2025-03-21)

(English) This thesis investigates light-matter interactions within plasmonic nanocavities, using ultra- confined optical environments to observe and control molecular dynamics at the nanoscale. Plasmonic cavities, formed ...

Compact phase imaging platform and its application to material science and manufacturing 

Hägele, Sebastian (Date of defense: 2024-07-23)

(English) As the world moves towards increasingly miniaturized and complex technologies and devices, the need for imaging and metrology tools for precise material characterization and fabrication process control is rising ...

Single rare earth ions for quantum computing nodes 

Beattie Eizaguirre, Eduardo (Date of defense: 2025-03-26)

(English) Despite decades of research, practical quantum computing and long-distance quantum communication remain elusive, hindered by significant challenges in current platforms. Single rare earth ions (SREI) in the solid ...

Continuous variable quantum communications: technologies and security 

Pascual García, Carlos (Date of defense: 2025-04-07)

(English) With this Thesis, we will focus on diverse technologies as well as techniques relevant for the development of secure communication systems based on Quantum Mechanics. This theoretical analysis involves the ...

Controlling the strong interaction between quantum emitters and plasmonic rod-dimers 

Álvarez Ortíz, Montserrat (Date of defense: 2022-10-28)

(English) The growth of technology and climate change have increased the need for more efficient, biodegradable and ecologically sustainable electronic devices. With this in mind, different methods have emerged to improve ...

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of twisted bilayer graphene 

Li, Geng (Date of defense: 2025-04-11)

(English) The goal of this thesis is to probe the infrared optical response of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). First, I used a commercial FTIR to measure the TBG in the ...

Photonic based approaches to overcome intrinsic losses in organic solar cells 

Bernal Texca, Francisco Gumaro (Date of defense: 2024-11-29)

(English) The large dependence on fossil fuels led to a severe environmental crisis, evident in the acceleration of climate change caused by the greenhouse effect. This unsustainable model has led to a reassessment of our ...

Certifying quantum resources in many-body systems from accessible observables 

Müller Rigat, Guillem-Jacob (Date of defense: 2025-03-27)

(English) This thesis primarily aims at developing reliable theoretical tools to certify the preparation of entangled states and other quantum correlations in many-body systems from accessible observables. In doing so, we ...

X-ray absorption fine structure with attosecond soft X-ray pulses for condensed matter physics 

Sun, Hung-Wei (Date of defense: 2024-11-11)

(English) Understanding electron behavior in solids and their interactions with the lattice is crucial for exploring exotic phenomena in condensed matter. Traditional techniques often provide limited insights, focusing on ...

A non-linear carbon nanotube mechanical resonator near the quantum ground state of motion 

Tormo Queralt, Roger (Date of defense: 2024-11-18)

(English) This thesis describes the design, fabrication, and measurement of gate-defined quantum dots embedded in suspended carbon nanotubes. The mechanical vibrations of the nanotube couple strongly to the quantum dots ...

Quantum-gas microscopy of strontium Bose- and Fermi-Hubbard systems 

Buob, Sandra (Date of defense: 2024-11-22)

(English) Ultracold atoms have proven to be a valuable asset to study and understand complex quantum many-body systems in a well-controlled setting. In particular, quantum-gas microscopes provide unprecedented access to ...

Advanced nanoantenna platforms for enhanced single-molecule detection at high concentrations 

Herkert, Ediz (Date of defense: 2024-09-13)

(English) The ability to study the dynamics of individual biomolecules is crucial to understanding the complex organization of biological systems beyond what can be learned from ensemble averages. These single-molecule ...