Development of novel fibre laser sources based on multicore fibre technology

Supervisor: Professor David Richardson FRS, FREng
Co-supervisor: Dr Di Lin
Project Description
Fibre lasers have emerged as the technology of choice for a wide range of industrial, medical and fundamental science applications. This project aims to develop a revolutionary new generation of high pulse energy, high average power short pulse fibre lasers capable of directly generating pulses shaped in both time and space to suit a variety of end applications.
We are looking for applicants with a background in physics, material sciences or engineering, to develop this revolutionary laser technology.
Collaborating closely with our academic and industrial partners to demonstrate the benefits of this new laser technology for applications in laser material processing and medical imaging, you will become an integral part of an ambitious, well-funded Programme with potential for major global impact. You will receive professional mentoring, leaving with the independence and skills to move into a successful career.
Our ultimate vision is to generate an “intelligent” laser capable of adapting its output to optimise a specific task – be that cutting metal sheets or performing delicate eye surgery. This project will explore beam combination approaches using multicore fibres (MCFs) rather than conventional single core fibres used in most current fibre laser systems.
Coherent beam combination in MCFs offers many advantages over competing approaches based on separate individual amplifiers. It provides an integrated multi-channel architecture, drastically reducing system complexity by decoupling component count from channel count and improving environmental stability. It also provides a high degree of freedom for tailoring amplitude, phase, and polarisation state at the output target plane.
Full tuition funding, plus, for UK students, an enhanced stipend of £18,000 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. www.orc.southampton.ac.uk/phd_funding. EU students with no external funding can apply for limited scholarships. Overseas students with external funding are also encouraged to apply.

To discuss details of the project or arrange a visit, please contact Professor David Richardson ([Email Address Removed]) and Dr Di Lin ([Email Address Removed]).
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
Further Airguide Photonics information: www.airguide.soton.ac.uk