About the project
Optical fibre networks power all aspects of modern digital life, enabling AI applications and advanced wireless systems. This project explores the evolution of fibre infrastructure, using cutting-edge technologies to experimentally demonstrate emerging capabilities, paving the way for future high-performance networks that meet the demands of an increasingly connected world.
The emergence of new demands on our communication networks, stemming from emerging AI services, a proliferating mobile network infrastructure and quantum technologies, creates new challenges in optical communications. As transmission rates in optical networks constantly increase, and with the concerns over the energy consumption of communication networks becoming ever more relevant, there is a compelling argument for adopting new techniques for the implementation of signal processing of communication signals. Moreover, the rise in demand for internet traffic is such that necessitates the adoption of new transmission techniques in order to ensure that the available bandwidth is sufficient.
The Optical Fibre Communications Laboratory at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) investigates technologies that address these challenges. You'll have the opportunity to work with new fibre types, combine them with state-of-the-art devices and identify their potential for applications. Topics of specific interest include:
- generation and manipulation of new frequencies
- use of novel modulation formats in transmission systems
- resilience and reduction in the energy consumption of optical transmission
- introduction of new optical transmission bands
- nonlinear optical processing for computing and communications applications.
This project will benefit from established collaborations with other UK and European institutions. It is associated with significant national research initiatives, including the EPSRC Federated Telecommunications Hub (a multi-partner national project that links communications research in the UK).
This is a predominantly experimental project that makes use of the strong facilities of the telecommunication systems laboratory of the ORC. These include full electronic and optical signal generation and diagnostic capabilities at state-of-the-art frequencies (up to 110 GHz), equipment enabling experimentation over new wavelengths for communications, and a direct connection to an installed fibre transmission line originating from the lab, linking the ORC to other collaborating laboratories across the UK (the UK’s NDFF).
You'll gain hands-on experience in handling and splicing optical fibre, and in building fibre-optic communication systems using lasers, modulators, photodetectors and state-of-the-art equipment, such as arbitrary waveform generators and real-time oscilloscopes. You'll gain expertise in system-level experimentation, focusing on evaluating the performance and potential of individual components. You'll also participate in cross-institutional project meetings, with opportunities to present your work to wider audiences.
The School of Optoelectronics (ORC) is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
