About the project
Recently developed ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals offer fast switching speeds and show strong nonlinear responses, as demonstrated through their use in second harmonic generation. They are promising materials for other optical parametric processes used in generating entangled photons and for creating tuneable nonlinear components.
Organic optical materials, such as liquid crystals, have traditionally been used to modulate light in applications where only low speeds are required. Recently developed crystals offer much superior performance, including fast switching speeds, large dielectric constants, strong response to electric field, and high nonlinearity. They have been successfully tested in processes such as second-harmonic generation, opening routes for demonstrating other parametric processes that are behind key enabling technologies used in many quantum optical systems, in particular those in quantum communication and quantum light sources.
In this project, the capability of ferroelectric crystals for stable and efficient generation of photon pairs and structured quantum light will be investigated. The tuneability of these systems will then be explored with the aim of creating tuneable and adaptive nonlinear devices.
The School of Physics & Astronomy 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.
