Mid-infrared hollow-core fibre and laser development for environmental monitoring, non-invasive surgery and advanced manufacturing

In this project we will develop hollow-core optical fibres (HCFs) for mid-infrared laser delivery. HCFs offer a radically new solution for laser delivery as they guide light in a gas-filled core, instead of the glass in conventional optical fibres. HCF-based mid-infrared laser delivery systems could open exciting possibilities for diverse applications, including advanced medicine, gas sensing to protect the environment and new materials processing.

Your role will include fibre development, characterisation, and integration within a power delivery system tailored for medical and industrial applications.

This project is based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton. The ORC has led the world in optical fibre technology research for 50 years and welcomes around 20 new PhD students each year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2_6yNQamkU. It comprises over 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and 200 researchers working in all areas of photonics. Its cluster of 12 photonics spin-out companies provides a natural career path for PhD graduates.

We have a growing research team, which design, fabricate and characterise state-of-the-art HCFs in our specialist cleanrooms and labs. In this project you will develop:

• 1) an in-depth knowledge of optical fibres;
• 2) a wide range of fibre characterisation skills;
• 3) novel and creative solutions to integrate HCFs with mid-infrared lasers.

These solutions will be tailored for emerging industrial and medical applications, including:

• 1) High-performance laser additive manufacturing

HCF-integrated laser systems will have enhanced precision and control for rapid prototyping and complex part fabrication with improved accuracy and detail, creating components for aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

• 2) High-precision surgery

A new fibre beam delivery system for therapeutic mid-infrared lasers will be developed with enhanced robustness and flexibility, to reduce cost, enable minimally invasive surgery and improve patient outcomes.

You will collaborate within an interdisciplinary team working across photonics, medicine, chemistry and industry and work with experienced photonics researchers (>20 group members) and external partners (e.g., biomedical researchers/surgeons from the University Hospital and chemists).

In the first year of your PhD, a structured training programme runs alongside your research, providing a gradual transition from taught degree to open-ended research. Students present their work at international conferences and in leading academic journals and emerge with skills at the forefront of fibre optics research. Former PhD researchers have made successful careers in universities worldwide or as industry scientists and business leaders.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus £2,000 ORC enhancement tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years (totalling around £21,000 for 2024/25, rising annually). EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers. Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD ORC”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor.