PhD Studentship: Qubit Transmission: Connecting Single Photon Sources With Emerging Hollow Core Optical Fibres

PhD Supervisor: Prof Radan Slavik, Dr Yongmin Jung, Prof Francesco Poletti

Supervisory Team: Prof Radan Slavik, Dr Yongmin Jung, Prof Francesco Poletti

Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.

Optical fibres can transport light over long distances with very low loss. However, transporting quantum bits (qubits) using photons suffers from the interaction of the qubits with the glass through which the light propagates in traditional optical fibres. Qubits are also often generated at wavelengths where optical fibres do not have low attenuation, severely reducing the distance over which they can be transported.

Hollow core fibres are an emerging class of optical fibres where light is guided inside a hole surrounded by a special glass structure. This allows light guidance through a core that has lower refractive index than the surrounding material, enabling the core to be formed by empty space. This is not possible in traditional fibres that guide light based on total internal reflection. Recently, the design and manufacturing of hollow core fibres reached such a refined level that they can transport light with lower attenuation than standard optical fibres and can have this low attenuation at wavelengths unachievable by traditional fibres. 

In this project we will develop novel ways to physically interconnect hollow core fibres with single photon sources and detectors used in quantum memories, computers and networks. The Optoelectronics Research Centre is a world-leader in design and manufacturing of these novel fibres (led by Prof. F. Poletti, a co-supervisor of this project).

The project is supported by Microsoft Azure.

If you are interested, please contact the supervisor for more information: Radan Slavik r.slavik@soton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

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

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: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD iMR”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor.

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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