PhD Studentship: Bismuth-doped Fibre Amplifiers for Extended Transmission Bands in Optical Communications

Supervisory team: Prof. Jayanta Sahu and Dr. Yu Wang

Project description

Global internet traffic has been growing exponentially over the past two decades with a predicted growth rate of around 40% year-on-year. This growth is driven primarily by bandwidth-hungry applications such as cloud computing, Telemedicine, 4K live streaming and is expected to continue in the era of the Internet of Things and 5G. However, the present optical fibre communication network’s capacity is solely based on the 11THz (C and L bands) gain bandwidth of erbium (Er) doped fibre amplifiers (EDFA) invented three decades ago. The scaling of the overall transmission capacity requires next-generation optical fibre amplifiers with ultra-broad gain bandwidths to further utilise the low-loss window offered by the solid- and hollow-core silica optical fibres.

In this PhD project, we aim to develop efficient Bi-doped fibres and to demonstrate next-generation ultra-broad Bi-doped fibre amplifiers in the wavelength band covering from 1150-1500nm and 1600-1750nm. In the process of developing Bi-doped fibres, the student will also study spectroscopic properties such as absorption and emission cross-sections to understand the near-IR luminescence in these fibres. The focus will be on experimental work but can include simulations/modelling of new amplifiers based on the interests of the student. The performance of developed Bi-doped fibre amplifiers will be evaluated in collaboration with our academic partners. Our recent work on a record level of gain (40dB) and also first-ever wideband (115nm) Bi-doped fibre amplifiers have been well received in the scientific community and grasped significant attention from telecom industries.

We are seeking PhD applicants with a background in physics/chemistry/engineering/ materials science and a strong interest in optical fibre technology and/or laser/amplifier technology to work on this ambitious project. Throughout the PhD, the candidate will have access to state-of-the-art fibre fabrication facilities and laboratories at the ORC/Zepler Institute.

At the end of this PhD project, you will develop skills in specialty optical fibre fabrication and characterization of doped fibres, and will acquire knowledge on fibre lasers and amplifiers while having the opportunity to publish the work in high-impact journals and conferences.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact prof Jayanta Sahu, Fibre fabrication Research Group, Email: jks@orc.soton.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3162.

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 Jayanta Sahu

Applications should include:

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

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

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