Paul-Antoine HERVIEUX

Research background

After training in high energy physics at the University of Grenoble and starting a career mainly focused on the theory of atomic and molecular collisions, I gradually turned to the physics of metallic clusters with activities focused on the description of the charge-exchange and fragmentation processes started during my postdoc in Berlin. Since 2004 and my recruitment as a full professor at the University of Strasbourg, I have been working on modelling the interaction of light with nanostructured matter (metallic and magnetic thin films, clusters and nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots,…) and more specifically on the ultrafast dynamics of charges and spins in nanostructures, with major challenges as the understanding and the control of magnetism at extreme spatiotemporal scales or the role played by the environment on the dynamical quantum properties of the systems (e.g. decoherence times).

Academic experiences

Professional experience 

Since 2017: Distinguished professor (PRCE2)

Since 2004: Professor of Physics at the Strasbourg University, Institute of Physics and Chemistry of Materials (IPCMS)

1995-2004: Associate Professor of Physics at the Metz University and researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Physics and Collisions

1993-1994: Hahn-Meitner-Institut in Berlin, Germany, Post-Doctoral position with Pr. D. Gross

1989-1992: Department of Fundamental Research, Atomic Physics laboratory, CEA, Grenoble, PhD student

Education

07/1999: “Ability to Direct Research”, Metz University (1999). Title: “Different aspects of particle – metal cluster interaction: photons, electrons, positrons and ions”

1992: PhD in Atomic Physics, Grenoble University (November 1992). Dissertation title: “Theoretical and experimental studies of the excitation of multiply charged ions by electron impact”

1989: Master in Nuclear and Particle Physics (UJF-Grenoble I)

Professional Responsibilities

2020-, coordinator of the international graduate school QMat (Quantum Science and Nanomaterials) of the Strasbourg University

2020-, member of the administration committee of Presses universitaires de Strasbourg (PUS)

2013-2018, deputy vice-president of research of the Strasbourg University 

2011-2012, deputy dean of the physics department of the Strasbourg University

2006-2011, responsible of the master condensed matter and nanophysics of the Strasbourg University

2011-2015, elected member of the National University Council (section 30)

2008-2012, French delegate to the Management committee of the COST action CM0702

Current researches

Antimatter Physics aroud GBAR

Probing quantum effects with classical stochastic analogs

Nuclear spin qudits for quantum information processing

Modelling of dynamical processes in metallic and magnetic nanostructures

Quantum theory of atomic and molecular collision processes

Statistical fragmentation in atomic clusters

Since 2010, I develop a theoretical activity around the GBAR experiment, the aim of which being to measure the action of gravity on antimatter.

Since 2017, in collaboration with physicists from ISIS (Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires, team of Dr. Cyriaque Genet) we explore the possibility to experimentally create classical analogues of open quantum systems. The latter have been developed in the past, based on optical or hydrodynamic experiments. In contrast, we have proposed to use classical stochastic systems, implemented experimentally by means of micron-sized Brownian particles optically trapped by a laser beam. The particles are usually dielectric beads immersed in a fluid (water, air) acting as a thermal bath. The shape and stiffness of the trapping is proportional to the intensity of the laser and can thus be precisely controlled and tailored in real time. The corresponding instantaneous diffusive motion of the bead inside the modulated trap can be recorded with very high position resolution levels.

Since 2019, I am involved in the domain of quantum science and technologies in which I develop a project entitled “Nuclear Spin Qudits for quantum information processing”. Within the framework of the fascinating world of quantum information and the QUSTEC programme, this multidisciplinary project which combined expertise from nuclear, atomic and solid-state physics along in materials chemistry addresses a fundamental issue concerning the possibility to modify and eventually control hyperfine interactions which play a key role in single-molecule magnets (SMM). As an extension of the well-known two-level quantum bits (qubits), multilevel systems, the so-called qudits, where d represents the Hilbert space dimension, have been predicted to reduce the number of iterations in quantum-computation algorithms. This has been tested experimentally in SMM where multilevel are originated from the nuclear spins and the associated hyperfine interactions. Controlling or modifying these interactions may open the way to the manipulation of the multilevel systems’ properties thus leading to improvements or elaboration of new quantum computation algorithms. In close collaboration with experimental chemists and physicists from KIT (Pr. Mario Ruben and Pr. Wolfgang Wernsdorfer) we propose to establish a theoretical framework to answer this issue.

Since 2019, in collaboration with Dr. Bertrand Dupé from the University of Liège and within the framework of an USIAS project entitled “Coupled spin and charge femtosecond dynamics for topological material” we explore the possibility to coherently nucleate and control skyrmions in an ultrathin metal film from a femtosecond pulse in electric field.

Teaching

Analytical Mechanics (L2)

Quantum Mechanics (L3)

History of Physics (M1)

General Relativity (M1)