Modelling wave propagation in meta-materials: a graph network approach

Description:
A meta-material exhibits exotic properties, such as negative refraction, transformation optics (cloaking), non-reciprocal response, and support of backward propagating waves, amongst others. These properties allow one to manipulate the propagation of waves in such a way as to, for example, realise an "invisible cloak". Constructing meta-materials, however, is not a trivial task as one needs to judiciously design the material "atom-by-atom" in a periodic or aperiodic fashion using multiply-coupled geometrical and physical material parameters.

The fascinating properties of meta-materials occur at the interface where a continuum model can be used for the periodic structure (limit of large wave length) and the discrete "atomic" limit, where wave interference dominates (limit of small wave length). The aim of the project is to study this critical wavelength region using wave models on graph networks. In the PhD project, the student will develop such graph network models to study the dispersion relations of periodic meta-materials. The student will be introduced to the relevant electromagnetics theory and graph network techniques and will study the fundamental dynamics of rays and waves propagating through such meta-material structures. In a later stage of the project, the model parameters will be adjusted to mimic properties of meta-materials as they are produced in the Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Research Group (3DPRG) in Nottingham.

The student will join as part of the Wave Modelling Research Group (www.wamoresearch.org) a vibrant team of 7 PhD students, 4 research assistants and 5 members of staff across mathematics and electrical engineering and will work closely with 3DPRG.

Summary: UK/EU students - Tuition Fees paid, and full Stipend at the RCUK rate, which is £14,296 per annum for 2016/17. There will also be some support available for you to claim for limited conference attendance. The scholarship length will be 3 or 3.5, depending on the qualifications and training needs of the successful applicant.