About the project
Are you interested in developing a revolutionary new technology capable of guiding UV-visible light with unprecedented loss? Hollow-core optical fibres offer this revolutionary optical performance, and in this project you will investigate extending this to the UV-visible for quantum technology, gas sensing, and industrial applications.
Hollow-core optical fibres (HCFs) are a revolutionary new technology which guide light in a gas or vacuum filled core, rather than the glass of traditional optical fibres. This results in numerous benefits including the ability to guide a much wider range of wavelengths with low loss, including the UV.
Many applications, including:
- quantum technology (computers, communication systems, and sensors)
- gas sensing
- industrial machining
rely on the flexible transmission of UV-visible photons over extended distances, making the development of these low-loss HCFs vital.
This project’s goals are to fabricate this next generation of HCFs utilising our state-of-the-art facilities with our highly experienced team, allowing you to gain a range of valuable skills including:
- optical fibre design and fabrication
- experimental testing and fibre characterisation
- hands on photonic skills
- problem solving
You will work at the world-renowned Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), the largest optics research group in the UK, home to >150 researchers and a large and diverse PhD community, with numerous links to industry, affording you many networking opportunities. This team will support you as you begin to build your research career.
The project will be most suited to students with a STEM background and an interest in optics or material science. Previous experience with photonics or optical fibres is an advantage but not essential, as full training will be given.
So, if you are curious, practical, and keen to join our team and develop a new generation of optical fibre, then this is an ideal opportunity for you.
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.
