Novel Photonic Integrated Systems for Application in Optical Communications

Supervisory Team:   Periklis Petropoulos

Project description

This is an opportunity to carry out a PhD at the Communications Systems Lab of the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). The group has been at the forefront of optical fibre communications since the very earliest days of the field providing several critical contributions, including the invention of the erbium doped fibre amplifier – a device that eliminated fibre loss as the fundamental limiting factor to signal transmission and which is installed in all modern optical communication networks. Optical communications remains by far the largest market for photonics and as such it represents one of the ORC’s primary research areas.

The exciting prospect of compact waveguides operating over broad wavelength ranges is likely to impact a multitude of application areas, spanning from communications to absorption spectroscopy, chemical and biological sensing and LIDAR applications. We have recently introduced silicon-rich silicon nitride as a promising nonlinear material and shown that it is a suitable candidate for applications involving the translation of optical signals across largely spaced wavelength bands.

This is a project for a student interested in exploring applications of waveguides fabricated using new materials through the design of application-specific devices. Applications of interest include optical modulation, phase-sensitive amplification, wavelength conversion, the nonlinear generation of broadband frequency combs and supercontinuum generation. Wherever relevant, the applications will be tested using the ORC’s extensive telecommunications systems infrastructure, which include ultrafast optical and electronic diagnostic tools for advanced modulation formats, as well as immediate access to the UK’s National Dark Fibre Facility (the UK’s NDFF) for experimentation on optical transmission.

The project is underpinned by the EPSRC-funded project Silicon-rich silicon nitride Nonlinear Integrated Photonic ciRcuits & Systems.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Periklis Petropoulos, Email: pp@orc.soton.ac.uk.

Entry Requirements

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

Closing date

Applications are accepted throughout the year. The start date will typically be late September, but other dates are possible.

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. 

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk