Excitons in hybrid semiconductor quantum dots for tunable emitters

About the Project

Supervisors:

Silvia Motti silvia.motti@soton.ac.uk

This project, within the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering at the University of Southampton (https://qte.ac.uk), carries a UKRI TechExpert enhanced annual stipend around £31k for UK students. While researching the project outlined below you will also receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.

Project Description:

Perovskite quantum dots show great potential for tunable light emitters. They are also promising candidates for single-photon emitters, which are key building blocks for quantum communication networks. This project will study the fundamental photophysics behind photon emission of perovskite semiconductor nanoparticles and develop new platforms for quantum technologies.

Perovskite nanocrystals can be fabricated in colloidal suspensions and offer a wide range of colour tunability with high radiative efficiency, making them excellent candidates for light emission applications. Nanoparticles present quantum confinement and provide another degree of tunability. In addition to classical light emitters, these nanocrystals act as quantum dots and present promising potential for single-photon emitters, which are key building blocks for quantum communications. Perovskite quantum dots offer high radiative efficiency, defect tolerance, high purity at room temperature, and low-cost fabrication. Furthermore, mixed crystal compositions allow us to tune the emission wavelengths to match specific transitions of quantum memories and other components. Further development is required to improve stability, minimise blinking, and understand and optimise the factors that regulate single photon purity and indistinguishability. The chemical composition, shape anisotropy, and the choice of capping ligands must be optimised to improve efficiency, stability, radiative rates, and quantum coherence. This project will study perovskite nanoparticles with different compositions, aiming to tune their emission properties, and will investigate the exciton fine structure and the impact of vibrational properties on stability and light emission dynamics, aiming to optimise their application as quantum emitters. The project will involve material processing and fabrication, construction and alignment of optical setups, laser spectroscopy, and integration of quantum dots into functional devices.

For more information, please contact the supervisor: Silvia Motti silvia.motti@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements:

Undergraduate degree (at least UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent).

Closing Date:

31 July 2026. International applicants must apply before 31 March 2026.

Funding:

Please see funding notes below.

How to Apply:

Please apply via the online portal and select:

• Programme type: Research
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Full time or part time
• Faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences

Search for programme PhD Quantum Tech Eng

Please add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts/ certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)