PhD in Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering - Active Photonic Resonator Thermometry (Quantum Thermometry)

Temperature is one of the most familiar measurable quantities that influences our lives. It is also a key quantity controlling biochemical processes, for example in the body, or in the manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. It also impacts the functionality and efficiency of many technologies for which controlling heat generation and dissipation, for example in microprocessor chips, is key to optimising their performance and energy use. This is critically important to minimise carbon emissions from computer networks which are predicted to account for over 20% of all global energy use by the end of this decade.

Current ways of measuring temperature suffer from two main issues: (i) the need for periodic calibration to a “known” traceable standard to mitigate sensor drift, and (ii) the challenge of measuring temperature on a sub-micron scale, e.g. inside electronic chips. This project aims to overcome these issues by developing an entirely new miniaturised on-chip approach that uses active quantum-confined semiconductor optical resonators. The project will involve computer-based design and modelling as well as fabrication and then testing of the fabricated prototypes (the latter at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)). In the project we will develop practical primary thermometry by active Ring Resonator Thermometry, providing temperature traceability at the point of measurement. We will demonstrate a fully integrated on-chip sensor with all the components (source, resonator [thermometer] and detector) micro-fabricated on one device. Our target uncertainty is ~0.1 K in range 80 - 350 K.   

The student on this project will work within the Semiconductor Photonics Materials and Devices group and will have access to the world leading facilities within the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow. The project is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow and our partners at the National Physical Laboratory, the UK’s centre of excellence for metrology, where some of the research will be conducted.

The studentship is available to UK (home) students. It offers an enhanced stipend and covers home tuition fees for a period of four years.  Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and those with Indefinite Leave to remain status may also qualify for home fee status. Further information on fee status can be found here:  https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding/ 

Applications for this scholarship may be made here.

How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.