Optical Fibre 2.0 - advanced electromagnetics and fluid dynamics modelling
Supervisor: Dr Francesco Poletti
Fibre optics has transformed telecommunications and profoundly impacted industrial manufacturing, medical endoscopy and structural sensing. In many applications however, fibres are already operating close to fundamental physical limits of the glass forming their core. A transformative new technological step is required to keep up with the 40% annual growth in global data traffic and laser output power. Air guiding hollow-core fibres – for which this group has a world-leading reputation - can provide the solution.
We are looking for enthusiastic PhD students with a background in physics/engineering and an interest in numerical modeling, optics, electromagnetics or fluid dynamics to embark on an ambitious project, aiming to revolutionize fibre optics.
As part of a well-funded, prestigious ERC European project, a PhD position is available to work alongside experienced researchers and develop a radically new form of optical fibre guiding light at the speed of light in vacuum, at intensities that would destroy any conventional fibre, undistorted, and with record low loss. This could represent the future of data transmission and laser power delivery, and enable numerous futuristic new applications, such as laser-driven particle acceleration or ultraprecise transfer of timing signals.
The PhD project will look at innovative fibre optics designs, to be obtained using advanced electromagnetics tools, and at the fluid dynamics modelling of the fabrication process of the designed fibres, with the aim of providing fabricators with recipes and guidance for producing optimum preforms and for tackling unavoidable rheological distortions.
A fully funded PhD position is available for UK applicants.Students from overseas who have secured some external funding are also encouraged to apply. EU students with no external funding can contend for a small number of competitive scholarships.
To discuss any details of the project informally or arrange a visit to meet us and see our facilities, please contact Francesco Poletti, (http://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/people.html?person=fp), email:frap@orc.soton.ac.uk, tel: +44(0)2380597696.
The PhD programme
The project will be hosted at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), an institution at the forefront of optical fibre technology for the past 45 years, which has led the development of most of the special fibre types in existence today, including the hollow-core fibres of interest here. With more than 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and 130 researchers working in all areas of photonics, the ORC provides an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for students to grow. Besides, its cluster of ten photonics spin-out companies provides a natural career paths for PhD graduates.
The fabrication of photonics devices is hosted in a £120 million new cleanroom facility containing state-of-the-art equipment (http://www.zeplerinstitute.com/facilities).
Our well-funded group has an excellent track record of publishing in high profile research journals and in leading international conferences. Former PhD and postdoctoral researchers from this group have made successful careers in Universities worldwide or as scientists and business leaders in industry. The quality of our research outputs, the cluster of spin-off companies and the worldwide network of successful alumni place the ORC amongst the top institutes worldwide for doctoral research.
The ORC PhD provides a solid education for a research career,http://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/phdprogram.html. The first year involves attending a structured training programme running in parallel with the research project. This provides a gradual transition from a taught degree course to the more open-ended research, conducted under the close guidance of your project supervisor. Students will present their work at conferences worldwide, first-author papers in leading academic journals and will emerge from the PhD 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 are welcome throughout the year.
Duration: typically three and a half years (full-time)
Funding: full tuition plus, for UK students, an enhanced stipend of £18,000 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. http://www.orc.southampton.ac.uk/phd_funding.html
Assessment: reports at the 8 and 16-month stage and an oral examination to determine progression to PhD, which is awarded after thesis submission and viva voce examination
Start date: typically October (although later starts might be acceptable)
Applying: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html
Closing Date: 31 Aug 2016
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)