About the project
In this project we will develop novel ways to physically interconnect hollow core fibres with single photon sources and detectors used in quantum memories, computers and networks. The Optoelectronics Research Centre is a world-leader in design and manufacturing of these novel fibres (led by Professor F. Poletti, a co-supervisor of this project).
The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.
Optical fibres can transport light over long distances with very low loss. However, transporting quantum bits (qubits) using photons suffers from the interaction of the qubits with the glass through which the light propagates in traditional optical fibres. Qubits are also often generated at wavelengths where optical fibres do not have low attenuation, severely reducing the distance over which they can be transported.
Hollow core fibres are an emerging class of optical fibres where light is guided inside a hole surrounded by a special glass structure. This allows light guidance through a core that has lower refractive index than the surrounding material, enabling the core to be formed by empty space. This is not possible in traditional fibres that guide light based on total internal reflection. Recently, the design and manufacturing of hollow core fibres reached such a refined level that they can transport light with lower attenuation than standard optical fibres and can have this low attenuation at wavelengths unachievable by traditional fibres.
The project is supported by Microsoft Azure.
