Ilija Funk
Welcome! I am a 3rd year PhD researcher in the group of Prof. Morgner & Prof. Kovacev at the Leibniz Universität Hannover. My research focuses on quantum optical phenomena in strong-field regimes like Higher Harmonic Generation (HHG) and X-ray Parametric Down-Conversion (XPDC).
Outside the lab, I always pursue other projects like composing music, building software or organizing events. I like pairing unconventional ideas with pragmatic implementation and taking ownership along the way. Scroll down to see who I am and what I do!
How I Work
I'm a generalist by nature. My strength lies in quickly understanding new domains, breaking down unfamiliar problems and transferring knowledge across fields. I pick things up fast, can explain them to others clearly and am not afraid to start before I have all the answers. While I love to approach a problem with creative and unconventional thinking first, later I always try to focus on the final goal and how to reach it efficiently.
My Journey
| Period | Institution | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 – present | Leibniz Universität Hannover | PhD Researcher | Research in Morgner/Kovacev group on entanglement detection for HHG, x-rays & rotational symmetry |
| 2024 – 2025 | Graduiertenakademie LUH | Program Participant | One of two university-funded participants in Promotion+ qualifiziert on career planning, project management & business strategy |
| 2020 – 2022 | Universität Konstanz | M.Sc. Physics | Focus on quantum computing & non-linear optics - Experimental thesis in Baum group on Transition Radiation |
| 2019 – 2022 | Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes | Scholarship | Scholarship for academic grades & social commitment |
| 2019 – 2020 | National University of Singapore | Student & Intern | Bachelor Thesis in Kurtsiefer group at CQT - Internship in space-based QKD startup Speqtral |
| 2017 – 2020 | Universität Konstanz | B.A. Philosophy | Studying out of curiosity - Award-winning thesis in Müller group about QBism |
| 2016 – 2019 | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung | Scholarship | Scholarship for academic grades & social commitment |
| 2016 – 2020 | Universität Konstanz | B.Sc. Physics | Focus on mathematics, quantum mechanics & quantum information |
What I am Researching On
Quantum Optical Phenomena in Strong-Field Processes
My current research sits at the intersection of strong-field physics and quantum optics, investigating how extreme light-matter interactions can generate non-classical states of light. While High-Harmonic Generation (HHG) is traditionally treated as a semi-classical process, we explore its capability to generate entangled states and multimode squeezing. I am currently working on an experiment where HHG photons are generated via an ultrafast pulsed laser and characterized using single-photon detectors.
I am also involved in a project to detect X-ray Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC) using a lab-based X-ray source. Since the signal-to-noise ratio is the primary hurdle, I have to design and build a system capable of isolating correlated photon pairs from the background. This setup could later be used to detect entanglement here too.
Free-Space QKD & Entanglement Detection
The primary goal of this work was developing a free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link at 589 nm (the sodium line). Operating at a Fraunhofer line allows us to significantly reduce background noise from sunlight during the day. To test the experimental signal chain, we implemented an entanglement source and a 50-meter test track at 808 nm. This source was also used to analyze how changing experimental parameters of the setup influence our results within the Bell polytope. I constructed a secondary, portable version of the source as a demonstration unit for public science fairs. Additionally, I worked on detecting "blinding attacks" via APD bias voltage and contributed to a paper on rotationally covariant measurements-testing new entanglement certification methods through light scattering in liquids.
Transition Radiation in an Transmission Electron Microscope
Transition radiation occurs when a charged particle, like an electron, crosses the boundary between two media with different dielectric constants. For my master's thesis, I designed and built two optical setups to detect this radiation within a transmission electron microscope. The main engineering challenge was maximizing the numerical aperture of the setup while still working within the tight space of the microscope. I successfully validated the setups by measuring incoherent transition radiation and confirming its identity through polarization analysis and intensity scaling.
More Things I'm Interested & Involved In
Music & Composition
I enjoy improvising on the piano and composing for choir & orchestra, including a score for this project and a full fan movie soundtrack. I also sing in two award-winning ensembles, Vox Aeterna & Junger Kammerchor Braunschweig.
Learning & Teaching
I love to learn new things but also to teach others. I have been a DSA participant and since then am participating and teaching at academies of the CdE multiple times a year. I regularly attend programs or workshops on new subjects, e.g. negotiation or resilience.
Programming
Outside of research, I enjoy building Python-based tools from ambient mixers for board games to custom timeline generators. Recently, I’ve expanded my toolkit to include HTML and UI design, while also managing my own server infrastructure.
Volunteering
I love to help others and make the world a better place. Among others, I have been active in the student union & senate of Universität Konstanz, in the Jusos, and have been scholar speaker in the Studienstiftung and a member of the Institute of Solide State Physics board.
Leadership & Management
I love getting projects moving and am professionally trained in leadership & project management, e.g. through this program. Whether organizing events or coordinating research, I always try to bridge the gap between vivid ideas & concrete results.
Entrepreneurship
I am convinced that businesses can strive for more than just profit. Combining a solid foundation in business basics with extensive market research, I am currently prototyping a specialized reading tool to streamline academic workflows.
Creativity & Curiosity
I am a quick learner and am always interested in new knowledge & experiences. I enjoy meeting people, thinking imaginatively & out of the box, being critical & improving products & workflows, and analyzing & solving problems every day.
Culture & History
I love traveling and discovering other cultures & perspectives. I enjoy asking people about their lives, reading historical books or visiting museums. I find it fascinating to imagine past eras as someone's "present" without any knowledge of what came next.
Contact Me!
If you have a project or job that might interest me, I'd love to hear from you!