PhD in Silicon Photonics for Space Optics Technologies

Supervisory Team: Dr Milos Nedeljkovic and Professor David Thomson 

Project description

Space is a new but inevitable frontier for Silicon Photonics technologies. The “New Space economy” has drastically lowered satellite launch costs such that constellations of communications satellites have become a reality, and small satellites for imaging, environmental monitoring, and global positioning are proliferating. The surge in satellite traffic will demand a corresponding surge in satellite data communications capacity. 

Satellite based free-space optical (FSO) communications links will come online over the next few years to complement existing radio frequency links, to enhance the bandwidth, power efficiency, and security of satellite communications. All of the “Prime” aerospace contractors are in the process of demonstrating initial FSO systems, using fibre and bulk optics components. Low size, weight, and power consumption are critical for all space technologies, and especially for small satellite payloads. With Silicon Photonics whole optical systems or subsystems can be integrated onto single chips, giving huge advantages in each of these metrics, and giving resilience to vibrations. 

This PhD project will focus on the development of new Silicon Photonic chips for space optics applications, initially exploring which are the areas in which Silicon Photonics can make the highest impact. Applications are anticipated in free-space communications, intrasatellite optical interconnects (just as silicon photonic interconnects have found use in data centres worldwide); RF-over-fibre transceivers for RF satellite communications systems; integrated spectrometers for space science and planetary exploration, and LIDAR for 3D vision (e.g. in docking systems). For example, NASA has recently sent a Silicon Photonic near-IR spectrometer into space and has identified Silicon Photonics as a key future space optics technology. The most exciting applications will be explored by optical & electronic design, cleanroom fabrication, and optoelectronic characterisation of the proposed chips. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a background in electronics, physics or photonics. You would join a cutting-edge research group in the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, and work in our state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities and photonic device characterisation laboratories. You would work in cooperation with a postdoctoral researcher on a UK Space Agency funded project developing Silicon Photonic chips for pointing laser beams in satellite optical communication links, and be part of the >40 strong Silicon Photonics group at the ORC.

Find out more about the project supervisors:

Milos: https://zepler.soton.ac.uk/people/mn3m11

David: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5x8nm2/professor-david-thomson 

For more information about the wider Silicon Photonics Group at UoS visit:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/institutes-centres/silicon-photonics 

Entry Requirements

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

Funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus £2,000 ORC enhancement tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years (totalling around £21,000 for 2024/25, rising annually). EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers. Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply. 

How To Apply

Apply online. Select programme type (Research), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD ORC”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor.

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