About the project
This project aims to develop high power, broadband and highly coherent all-fibre light sources based on soft-glass optical fibres.
Broadband coherent light sources are of significant importance for advanced photonics, enabling precise and versatile optical tools for applications including spectroscopy, sensing, and microscopy. However, generating broadband light while maintaining high coherence and stable temporal and spectral properties remains a significant challenge.
The project will investigate low-loss soft-glass fibre platforms with high nonlinear coefficients. Numerical simulations will first be used to design fibre structures and identify optimal conditions for highly coherent supercontinuum generation, with particular emphasis on controlling nonlinear propagation, dispersion and coherence across a broad spectral range. The resulting theoretical models will provide design guidelines for developing efficient all-fibre broadband coherent light sources.
Nonlinear optical experiments will be conducted to investigate broadband spectral generation in soft-glass optical fibres. High-power ultrafast pumping, nonlinear propagation will be systematically studied to experimentally demonstrate broadband, stable and highly coherent optical output. The influence of fibre structure, dispersion, nonlinear response and pump conditions on the generated spectrum and coherence will be investigated.
The project will establish a platform for high-power, broadband and highly coherent all-fibre light sources, providing compact and potentially robust alternatives to conventional broadband optical systems. The developed sources will enable opportunities in precision spectroscopy and chemical, biomedical sensing, and other advanced photonic applications.
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.
