PhD Studentship - Hollow Core Fibres for Mid-infrared Gas Sensing, Quantum Optics & Metrology (1229320PN)

Supervisor:                 Dr Natalie Wheeler

Co-supervisor             Dr Lin Xu, Prof. David Richardson

Project description

This project focusses on exploiting novel hollow core fibres to make new mid-infrared devices. The mid-infrared spectral region represents a rapidly growing research area which is especially interesting for gas-light interactions as the strongest absorption features of many gas species lie in this region.  Hollow core fibres are an excellent host for gas-light interactions and are also well-suited to operating at wavelengths where conventional solid fibres made from silica glass cannot transmit light, such as the mid-IR. Hollow core fibres are therefore excellent candidates for the next generation of mid-IR devices such as novel light sources, ultra-high sensitivity gas sensors and compact frequency references.

This PhD project is primarily experimental and the successful student will work with experienced researchers, within extensive and well equipped labs and will engage with our industrial partners to achieve high impact outcomes from their work. The project is supported by generous funding from the EPSRC and the Royal Society. 

A fully funded PhD position is available for UK applicants (with an enhanced stipend of £18,000 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.) EU students with no external funding can contend for a small number of competitive scholarships. Students from overseas who have secured some external funding are also encouraged to apply. www.orc.southampton.ac.uk/phd_funding.html

To discuss project details/ arrange a visit, please contact Dr. Natalie Wheeler (n.v.wheeler@soton.ac.uk). 

About the Optoelectronics Research Centre

The ORC has led the world in optical fibre technology research for the past 50 years. With over 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and 200 researchers working in all areas of photonics, the ORC provides an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for students to grow. Its cluster of 12 photonics spin-out companies provides a natural career path for PhD graduates. 

The group has an excellent track record of publishing in high profile research journals and international conferences. Its former PhD and postdoctoral researchers have made successful careers in universities worldwide or as industry scientists and business leaders. 

In the first year of your PhD a structured training programme runs alongside the research project, providing a gradual transition from taught degree to open-ended research. Students present their work at conferences worldwide, first-author papers in leading academic journals and emerge with skills at the forefront of glass and fibre optics research https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2_6yNQamkU. 

Key facts

Entry requirements: first or upper second-class degree or equivalent

Closing date: applications throughout the year. 

Duration: typically 3.5 (full-time) 

Assessment: reports at 8 and 16-month stages and an oral examination to determine progression to PhD, awarded after thesis submission and viva voce examination 

Start date: typically October (later starts might be acceptable)

Applying: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html 

Further ORC information: www.orc.soton.ac.uk and please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

Further Airguide Photonics information: www.airguide.soton.ac.uk

Closing Date: 31 Aug 2020
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)