Temporal laser cavity solitons microcombs

This theoretical/experimental PhD project will focus on developing an optical clock based on a new type of nonlinear optical wave, called temporal laser cavity soliton, recently discovered in the Emergent Photonics laboratory [1,2] for ultra-efficient and resilient microcombs (https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/emergent-photonics). You will work in the team of Prof Alessia Pasquazi, funded by her recent ERC starting grant ‘Temporal laser cavity solitons microcombs’ (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/851758).

Miniaturised atomic clocks in a portable format are expected to change the way we access to timing, positioning and navigation. They are a fundamental building block for the new generation of quantum sensors and could play a key role in making our society resilient to GPS spoofing and jamming. (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/12/03/register_lecture_times_up_for_gps_atomic_clocks_to_the_rescue/ ).

As every clock, a portable optical atomic clock is composed of two fundamental components [3]: a reference (an ultraprecise atomic oscillator) and a counter (an optical frequency comb, a special laser developed by the Nobel prizes John Hall and Theodor Hänsch[4]).

Microcombs are special pulsed lasers based on millimetre size optical resonators. Firstly discovered in 2007[5], they have galvanised the attention of photonic scientists with the promise to realise the full potential of frequency combs in a compact form. To meet the demand of practical atomic clocks, microcombs needs, however, to become an efficient, robust and reliable technology.

Starting from a configuration where the microresonator is inserted inside the laser cavity itself, this project addresses the physics of microcomb in a holistic fashion, considering the whole set of effects that play a role in the system and provide a path towards robustness[1,2].

Supervisors

Primary Supervisor

Prof Alessia Pasquazi

Email: [Email Address Removed]

Secondary Supervisor

Dr Juan Sebastian Totero Gongora

Email: [Email Address Removed]

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

Excellent students with a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in STEM subjects that overlap with the subject field of photonics (e.g. physics, engineering, applied mathematics, advanced mechanics) will be considered.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Find out more about research degree funding

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select Physics. Please quote the advertised reference number: SCI23-AP in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. See studentship assessment criteria.

Apply now