PhD Studentship: Novel multi-functional coherently combined fibre laser amplifiers

Supervisory Team: Prof Johan Nilsson, Dr William Kerridge-Johns

Project description:

This project, focussing on high-power laser architectures, will contribute to a major Ministry of Defence (MoD) research programme intended to develop generation-after-next-technologies for applications in defence and security.

The project will be supervised by Prof Johan Nilsson (jn@orc.soton.ac.uk) and Dr William Kerridge-Johns (W.R.Kerridge-Johns@soton.ac.uk) at the University of Southampton with support and co-supervision by NKT Photonics (Dr Adam Devine). It will research coherent beam combination (CBC) of ytterbium-doped fibre laser amplifiers with multiple functionalities. This is in contrast to most of the current research on CBC lasers, which simply aims at increasing the power. The project will allow the student to acquire expertise in designing, constructing, operating, and characterising high-power fibre laser amplifiers, nonlinear fibre optics, and optical phase detection and control. The main objectives are:

• Experimental realisation and characterisation of high-power ytterbium-doped fibre laser amplifier with low phase noise and nonlinear phase distortion
• Realisation of multi-functional CBC laser
• Characterisation and optimisation of CBC laser
• Lab test on different targets.

The PhD project is part of a new MoD/EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Skills and Training (S&T) Hub. The main aim of the Hub is to train the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies relevant for defence and other related applications. The Hub is supported by MoD, Dstl, and UK companies working in defence and security.

You will be based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre, being part of a cohort of 12 PhD students across a number of UK institutions. The Skills and Training Hub will run online and face-to-face activities to facilitate cohort building and group learning exercises throughout the PhD programme. The industrial partner, NKT Photonics, will participate in the project via its UK operations, and will provide additional PhD supervision, hardware (when appropriate) and a placement opportunity.

The duration of the PhD is 4 years, and the start date is 1st October 2024.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact:

Prof Johan Nilsson (jn@orc.soton.ac.uk) or

Dr William Kerridge-Johns (W.R.Kerridge-Johns@soton.ac.uk)

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent), in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for, and able to obtain, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Closing date: 31 August 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: This is a MoD/EPSRC Energy Transfer Technology Skills and Training Hub project. The duration of the PhD is 4 years. The funding will cover tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus £2,000 ORC enhancement tax-free per annum (totalling around £21,000 for 2024/25, rising annually). Generous funds will be available for conference attendance and training, for students to travel to industrial partners and for longer placements with the industrial partner.

How To Apply

Apply online, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above. 

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD ORC (Full time)”.

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Prof Johan Nilsson

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

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