About the project
Optical fibres can transport telecom signals over long distances. However, qubits or other quantum states such as multiple-entangled-photos are often generated at wavelengths, where optical fibres have unsuitable. There is an emerging class of new optical fibres pioneered in Southampton that could revolutionize transport of quantum signals and states.
Hollow core fibres are emerging class of optical fibres in which light is guided by a hole surrounded by a special glass structure. This allows light guidance through a core that has lower refractive index than the surrounding material, enabling the core to be formed by empty space. This is not possible in traditional fibres that guide light based on total internal reflection.
Recently, design and manufacturing of hollow core fibres reached such level that they can transport light with lower attenuation than standard optical fibres, including wavelengths, where many quantum sources (e.g., quantum dots) and low-cost detectors (Silicon Avalanche Photodetectors) operate. This applies also for many designs of quantum memories and repeaters that would enable transporting quantum signals over large (e.g. inter-country or inter-continental) distances.
In this project we will exploit hollow core optical fibres that can guide simultaneously quantum signals at wavelengths, where quantum sources and detectors operate (700-1000 nm) together with classical telecom signals that typically operate at longer wavelengths (1530-1610 nm), representing a ‘universal’ (supporting quantum, classical, or both) transmission medium.
Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton is the world-leader in design and manufacturing of these novel fibres (led by Prof. F. Poletti, a co-supervisor of this project). We will work with leading quantum physics and technology groups, e.g., at the University of Viena to demonstrate a range of new approaches enabled by the novel hollow core fibres.
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.
