About the project
Fibre lasers that are increasingly becoming the light source of choice for a wide range of industrial and scientific applications, have spurred the development of new types of rare-earth (i.e., Yb, Er, Tm, and Ho) doped fibres, each with a unique set of properties to match with the specific applications. Since the fibre design and material properties of the fibre core have become critical to the performance of the fibre laser, a more powerful fibre fabrication process is required than the current industry standard process, which is MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition) - solution doping technique.
This PhD project will develop novel optical fibre materials and fabrication techniques for realisation of advanced rare-earth doped fibres with tailored dopant profiles and large core, as required for the next generation of high-power fibre lasers and amplifiers. You will collaborate closely with an industrial partner who is a leading manufacturer of specialty optical fibres and become part of a world-leading research team working on fibre fabrication and fibre lasers and amplifiers at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). You will have the opportunity to spend a period of time with the industrial partner and have access to the world-class Zepler Institute cleanroom complex with a state-of-the-art fibre fabrication facilities and high-powered lasers.