Solid State Physics or Quantum Electronics/Optics

[Strohmann]

For which field is there more demand in the industry?

And is knowledge of quantum electronics/optics useless without having a phd, as I see most job offers ask for a doctorate degree.

Are the skills and knowledge from quantum electronics transferable to engineering positions or is what you usually learn in a physics degree only usefuel for research?

 

[f95toli]

Could you give us some context. Are you asking about undergraduate courses? Or a whole MSc?
Also, is this for someone with a physics or EE background?

 

[Strohmann]

Could you give us some context. Are you asking about undergraduate courses? Or a whole MSc?
Also, is this for someone with a physics or EE background?

I'm from mainland europe, so it might be a bit different here than in the US for example. I'm talking about Masters courses in Physics. Background is a bachelor in physics.

 

[f95toli]

So you are trying to decide whether to specialise in Solid state or quantum electronics/optics?

The latter terms are somewhat ambiguous. I would assume that they refer to for example AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures such as laser diodes, or?

 

[Strohmann]

So you are trying to decide whether to specialise in Solid state or quantum electronics/optics?

The latter terms are somewhat ambiguous. I would assume that they refer to for example AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures such as laser diodes, or?

There is kind of a core course in quantum optics. So I think its content gives a good insight in the research field hopefully. The course contents are the following:

This course gives an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Quantum Optics and will highlight state-of-the-art developments in this rapidly evolving discipline. The topics that are covered include: - coherence properties of light - quantum nature of light: statistics and non-classical states of light - light matter interaction: density matrix formalism and Bloch equations - quantum description of light matter interaction: the Jaynes-Cummings model, photon blockade - laser manipulation of atoms and ions: laser cooling and trapping, atom interferometry, - further topics: Rydberg atoms, optomechanics, quantum computing, complex quantum systems.

 

[f95toli]

OK, so it is a course in quantum optics? Not quantum electronics. The latter term is as mentioned ambiguous, but never includes purely optical systems.

I still don't quite understand what you are choosing between.
It seems like you are choosing between solid state physics and quantum optics?

If so, in term of relevance of industry I would say solid state state physics is probably more relevant; unless you are interested in working in say the photonics industry (which is actually relatively large) or even one of the emerging quantum tech sectors (quantum comms).

Solid state physics is used everywhere and has lots of sub-fields with industrial relevance; although a "basic" solid state course is not going to cover anything in depth.

 

[Strohmann]

OK, so it is a course in quantum optics? Not quantum electronics. The latter term is as mentioned ambiguous, but never includes purely optical systems.

I still don't quite understand what you are choosing between.
It seems like you are choosing between solid state physics and quantum optics?

If so, in term of relevance of industry I would say solid state state physics is probably more relevant; unless you are interested in working in say the photonics industry (which is actually relatively large) or even one of the emerging quantum tech sectors (quantum comms).

Solid state physics is used everywhere and has lots of sub-fields with industrial relevance; although a "basic" solid state course is not going to cover anything in depth.

Is there a industry for solid state physics in europe?
and what jobs are there for someone with a masters degree and a focus on solid state physics?

when googling job offers I see quite many positions for engineers in optics and electronics, which are also considering physicists.

 

[f95toli]

Solid state physics is by far the biggest field in physics and there are numerous sub-fields which in turn have many applications (an obvious example would be semiconductor physics). In terms of "real world" applications solid state physics is by far the biggest field of physics.

Hence, it is highly unlikely that you would see a job ad where they are looking for someone with a background in "solid state physics" because that is too generic: you are more likely to see ads where they are looking for example someone with a background in surface analysis or the micro-structure of steel

If you were to do a masters in solid state physics I assume you would need to specialise (in say semiconductor physics) and it is this specialisation which would be more relevant for potential employers.

You also need to be careful about the terminology: If a company is looking for an electronics engineer (which in itself a very broad term) they are more likely to be looking for someone with a background in say FPGA programming or VLSI designs; if you want to apply for that type of job you should do a masters in electrical engineering.

 

[CrysPhys]

OP: I can't address your question directly since: (1) I'm from the US, and got my education here. I am aware that graduate programs in physics, particularly with respect to masters programs, is substantially different between the US and Europe. (2) Job markets vary with locality; in particular, the demand in industry for candidates with an MS in X will vary widely. Job markets can also be quite fickle over time. So there is an element of luck when it comes to the job market when you graduate (see below).

But, I'll offer a couple of general caveats. [Many decades ago, I got my PhD in physics, concentration in solid-state physics; upon graduation, I got a job in an industrial R&D lab, working on optoelectronic devices.]

(a) It's natural that you are concerned about employment prospects after graduation. From what I can gather, you are leaning more towards quantum optics, because you believe the job prospects are stronger there. Is that correct? But you haven't mentioned whether you are interested in quantum optics. It's too early in your life to be tied to a job you're not interested in (later on in your life, other constraints may dictate that you be tied to a job you're not interested in; but you shouldn't start your career in such a scenario).

(b) As I've pointed out in previous posts, job markets can invert quickly. I'll repeat my pet example. In late 1999, there was a shortage of R&D staff (internationally) for optoelectronic devices, fueled by the Internet Bubble and the demand for high-bandwidth lightwave telecommunications systems. At the time I was mentoring students, including one completing a physics masters program in Europe (concentrating in optoelectronics). I had no problems placing her with a US company; under normal times, she likely would not have been in the running without a PhD. Other colleagues asked me whether I could refer other students to them. But within a year, the Internet Bubble had started to deflate, and hiring practically stopped (with exceptions here and there). By mid 2001, there were massive layoffs and looming bankruptcies.

(c) In the US, you typically get your degrees in (unqualified, plain-old) physics [with the exception of some specialized programs such as applied physics, engineering physics, medical physics, and interdisciplinary programs such as (some) biophysics]. You get a broad-based physics education. Solid-state physics is a subset of physics; and quantum optics (as applied to optoelectronic devices) is a subset of solid-state physics. A deep specialization is advantageous when looking for a job if that specialization is "hot". But what if it isn't? Or, suppose it is "hot" when you graduate and you do get a job; but a few years, or even many years, down the road it grows "cold"? Then what? A broader background allows you more flexibility to pivot when you need to.