About the 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.
The project focuses on the development of state-of-the-art hollow core fibres (HCFs), a promising technology that could revolutionise the physical layer of optical communication. Unlike conventional optical fibres, which achieve ultralow transmission loss only in a narrow spectral region where the glass is ultra-transparent, HCFs guide light through air, allowing for potentially ultralow propagation loss at any desired wavelength.
These custom fibres can be optimised to operate at specific wavelengths used for example by ion traps, diamond NV centres, and semiconductor quantum dots. Furthermore, the absence of detrimental nonlinear optical effects in HCFs enables the simultaneous propagation of classical signals and single photon quantum signals within the same spectral band.
This project is supported by and in collaboration with Microsoft Azure Fiber. The aim is to design and produce optimised HCFs tailored for various quantum applications. Increasing the data transmission security within the Azure datacentre network will be one of the main tasks. In addition, collaborations with key existing application partners in the main UK and European quantum labs will be exploited to develop ground-breaking demonstrations in quantum key distribution, quantum sensing, entangled state transmission, and quantum computing.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in the practical application of quantum technologies, potentially leading to advancements in secure communication, precise sensing, and powerful computation. It underscores the University of Southampton’s commitment to pioneering research and innovation in Quantum Technology Engineering. Direct link with the nearby Microsoft Azure Fiber labs will offer the opportunity to see a direct impact of the research developed in the project, and a direct connection to a potential future employer.
