Elisabeth Andriantsarazova from the Czech Technical University in Prague once again visits the Integrated Quantum Optics (IQO) Group of Prof. Dr. Christine Silberhorn at Paderborn University to learn how to work with a crystal that generates entangled photons.
In an interview Elisabeth reveals more about her stay at the IQO Group at Paderborn University:
What brought you to Paderborn once again?
I was offered to go to Paderborn by Prof. Igor Jex, who has worked with Prof. Silberhorn, half a year ago and I had an amazing time. Everyone was so nice to me and I learned so much, so I asked Prof. Jex a while ago if it was possible to come once more to finish some work I had in Prague.
Do you work on the "same project" here as in Prague?
Yes and no! My work in Prague was to make an experimental set-up to create and detect entangled photon pairs. Sadly, we didn't have enough experience so we failed. Right now, Vahid is showing me how to work with a crystal that produces entangled photons, but the process behind it is a little different. The set-up is different, we use different techniques and different tools which I would say are more modern and efficient.
Which research project are you involved with in Paderborn?
We were given a KTP crystal that works as a single-photon source and we want to test some of its properties. It is also producing entangled photon pairs, so I'm basically learning how to align everything so that it works properly and gives me the result I want.
Which working group in Prague are you from?
I am studying experimental particle physics which mainly focuses on high energy physics and particle collisions. So it's very different from what I'm doing here. In Prague, I'm taking courses offered by other groups, such as quantum optics, quantum information, etc.
Are there differences from everyday working life to Prague?
For me personally yes, but I cannot say it's the same for everyone. I really like that Paderborn is a small city so you don't have to travel far, which for Prague is not always the case. The main difference I feel is that there are many people always willing to give you their opinion about some problems you might have with your experiments, someone is always either in the lab or in the office. So you can ask anyone anytime about anything. But I might be a little unfair because I imagine it would be the same if I studied the theoretical and not the experimental approach. The Prague theoretical group that works with Paderborn is very successful. But since we are just starting our experiments (maybe next year), its very complicated for me to face some problems.
What brought your group your stay in Paderborn?
I think the collaboration between Prague and Paderborn has always been very successful. For us, it is definitely an amazing opportunity to learn how to conduct quantum optic experiments.
What brought you personally to stay with us in Paderborn?
Well, I really like the group of people I'm working with. I like the labs and how much I'm learning by working here. I like the city and I really like the mensa. :)
How do you like it in Germany?
I actually have an aunt in Germany and my cousins are basically german, they have lived their whole lives in Germany. So I would say I'm familiar with Germany and I have always liked it very much. Also Paderborn is beautiful and amazing.
Do you have any tips for other people who would like to join an exchange?
I would definitely recommend the stay to anyone interested in quantum optics, because I learned so much just by listening to people. What I would probably say is that it's always better to know what exactly you want to work on and to have someone older to work on the same thing.
Is there anything that surprised you in Germany? Anything that you had imagined differently?
As I said before, I'm somewhat familiar with Germany so not many things surprise me here. Maybe the impressive cantine, which I really miss at Prague, and also maybe the diversity of the group as almost everyone is a foreigner, which is amazing. What I imagined differently... I was very surprised by everyone effort to help you, everyone in the group is always asking me how everything goes and they are always willing to help you if necessary and I'm incredibly grateful for that.
Děkuji Elisabeth for sharing your experiences with the IQO Group at Paderborn University.
Thank you for this opportunity. I am very honored.
