Ultra-high speed integrated optical beam steering.

Integrated optic (IO) devices manipulate light waves in a manner similar to the way integrated electronic devices manipulate electrons. As such they can be significantly more compact, stable, and robust than optical systems based on bulk optic components such as lenses, beam splitters and mirrors. There is currently a global drive to develop IO devices that can be used to generate and analyse two-dimensional optical fields. Such a technology would find ubiquitous applications in areas including automotive LiDAR, integrated imaging, and free-space communications.

One issue with realising this vision using traditional IO fabrication technologies is that they are planar in nature - a significant issue if one wishes to control and analyse optical fields that are complex in two dimensions. To address this, we have used an emerging photonic device manufacturing platform known as ultrafast laser inscription to developed integrate "photonic lanterns" - a remarkable class of photonic devices that facilitates the efficient interfacing of multimode light with single mode photonics [1]. We have also recently demonstrated how photonic lanterns can be used to generate complex two-dimensional optical fields for beam steering applications [2]. This PhD will build on this proof-of-concept demonstration, with the aim of exploring the limits to what can be achieved. As such, the appointed candidate will have a unique opportunity to work with state-of-the-art ultrafast laser inscription and photonic device characterisation facilities, to work on optical and IO simulation and with future end users to investigate the potential of the technologies you develop for real world applications.

The candidate will be join the Photonic Instrumentation Group at Heriot Watt University (phi.eps.hw.ac.uk), but will collaborate closely with Leonardo, our project partners, who have an emerging interest in the development of non-mechanical beam steering technologies.

Applicants must have or expect to have a first-class degree or equivalent in physics or relevant engineering discipline and be strongly motivated with the drive required to pursue 3.5 years of intensive practical and theoretical work. The ideal candidate has a good knowledge of optics and photonics and experience in a laboratory environment is expected.

Heriot‑Watt’s Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS) is a thriving environment for PhD research, having a total of 160 academics, postdocs, PhD and EngD students working full‑time in the general photonics field. Heriot‑Watt is based in a modern environment on the outskirts of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), with excellent transport links to the centre of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Heriot‑Watt was recently awarded a UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics, cementing Heriot‑Watt’s reputation as a centre of excellence in photonics, and providing PhD students with an even more attractive environment for study, as well as enhanced training opportunities.