PhD Studentship: Nonlinear applications of Si-rich SiN photonic waveguides

Project title: Nonlinear applications of Si-rich SiN photonic waveguides  

Supervisory Team: Periklis Petropoulos

Project description

This is an opportunity to carry out a PhD at the Communications Systems Lab of the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). The group has been at the forefront of optical fibre communications since the very earliest days of the field providing several critical contributions, including the invention of the erbium doped fibre amplifier – a device that eliminated fibre loss as the fundamental limiting factor to signal transmission and which is installed in all modern optical communication networks. Optical communications remains by far the largest market for photonics and as such it represents one of the ORC’s primary research areas.

This project relates to the development and applications of novel nonlinear waveguides.

The exciting prospect of compact highly nonlinear waveguides operating over broad wavelength ranges is likely to impact a multitude of application areas, spanning from communications to absorption spectroscopy, chemical and biological sensing and LIDAR applications. We have recently introduced silicon-rich silicon nitride as a promising nonlinear material and shown that it is a suitable candidate for applications involving the translation of optical signals across largely spaced wavelength bands.

This is a project for a student interested in exploring applications of nonlinear silicon nitride waveguides through the design of application-specific devices. Applications of interest include phase-sensitive amplification, wavelength conversion, the nonlinear generation of broadband frequency combs and supercontinuum generation. Wherever relevant, the applications will be tested using the ORC’s extensive telecommunications systems infrastructure, which include ultrafast optical and electronic diagnostic tools for advanced modulation formats, as well as immediate access to the UK’s National Dark Fibre Facility (the UK’s NDFF) for experimentation on optical transmission.

The project is underpinned by the EPSRC-funded project Silicon-rich silicon nitride Nonlinear Integrated Photonic ciRcuits & Systems (juNIPeRS).

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Periklis Petropoulos, Optical fibre Communications Research Group, Email: pp@orc.soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: Applications are accepted throughout the year and several start dates throughout the year are possible. Applications for the typical Sept./Oct. 2023 start should be received no later than 31 August 2023.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £20,000 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Apply online: PhD Application | Research | University of Southampton. Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD ORC (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Periklis Petropoulos

Applications should include:

1. Research Proposal
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Two reference letters
4. Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Advert information