Quantum Gas Sensing

This project is part of the EPSRC Center for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering at the University of Southampton (https://qte.ac.uk/). In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.

Project Description

Gas sensing is a vital technique for many applications, including medicine and environmental monitoring. However, there can be difficulties with many commonly used techniques. The use of quantum technology (such as entangled photons and single photon counting techniques) may be able to alleviate these, and this project will explore this.

The ability to detect and quantify gases at trace (potentially sub-ppm) levels is vital for many applications, including environmental monitoring, biomedicine, and combatting climate change. The ability to do this optically has many benefits, including the range and speed at which measurements can be made, but also some drawbacks, such as potentially lower sensitivity.

Recently hollow-core fibres (HCFs), a type of speciality optical fibre which guide light in a hollow, gas-filled core, have been used to enhance these optical sensing techniques by extending the light-matter interaction length. But this approach is not problem free, as they may still involve weak signals or difficult (mid-IR) wavelengths.

Quantum technology, such as the generation of entangled photons (at differing wavelengths) or single-photon counting, offers the potential to solve these problems, further enhance these approaches.

This project will, therefore, investigate some of the following concepts:

•  The use of superconducting single-photon detectors to further improve the sensitivity of HCF-enhanced Raman gas sensing, and enable distributed measurements,

•  The generation and use of quantum light, i.e. entangled, correlated and squeezed light sources, at selected wavelengths to allow HCF-enhanced mid-IR absorption spectroscopy to be further improved through the measurement of non-interacting near-IR photons,

•  The use of gas-filled HCFs to generate entangled photons for use in mid-IR gas sensing measurements

To achieve this, you will work with our existing research team in our state-of-the-art facilities to explore these topics. These new colleagues, being experts in their fields, will help guide and support your work, ensuring your success.

Supervisory team: Dr Ian Davidson, Prof. Natalie Wheeler, Dr Thomas Kelly.

For more information, please contact the supervisor: Dr Ian Davidson, i.a.k.davidson@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate degree (at least UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent).

Closing date

Applications are accepted throughout the year for a start date in September 2025. Overseas students requiring funding must apply before 31 March 2025

Funding

Funding on a competitive basis. For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate tax-free for 4 years. EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply.

How To Apply

Apply online here: Select programme type “Research”, “Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences”, next page select “PhD Quantum Tech Eng”. In Section 2 of the application form insert the name of the supervisor.

Applications should include (further details on https://qte.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/ ):

Personal statement

Curriculum Vitae

Contacts of two referees

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

 We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity and give full consideration to applicants seeking part-time study. The University of Southampton takes personal circumstances into account, has onsite childcare facilities, is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.