PhD Studentship: Robust Beam-shaping and Fibre-coupling System for High Power Diode Laser Stacks

Application deadline: 31/07/2026
Research theme: Laser Physics
How to apply: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded; students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible to apply (more details can be found here). The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. The start can be September 2026, January 2027, April 2027 or July 2027.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

High-power diode laser stacks are widely used in applications ranging from industrial materials processing to pumping of solid-state lasers and emerging photonic systems. However, their inherently poor beam quality and complex spatial emission profiles present a significant challenge for efficient beam shaping and fibre coupling.

This PhD project aims to develop a robust and scalable optical system for transforming the output of high-power diode laser stacks into a beam suitable for efficient coupling into optical fibres. The work will focus on innovative beam-shaping strategies that maximise brightness while maintaining stability and alignment tolerance under high thermal loads.

The project combines experimental optics, optical design, and modelling, offering opportunities to work with high-power laser systems and advanced photonic components. The outcomes will have direct relevance to industrial laser systems, fibre-delivered power applications, and next-generation photonics technologies.

This project also benefits from close engagement with an industrial partner, providing additional perspective on real-world applications and helping distinguish the work in terms of impact and relevance.

Research Objectives

• Design and optimise optical architectures for beam shaping of diode laser stacks
• Develop robust fibre-coupling strategies for high-power, multimode sources
• Model beam propagation and transformation using numerical techniques
• Experimentally validate system performance and efficiency
• Investigate thermal and mechanical stability of optical configurations
• Evaluate system scalability for industrial deployment

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor; Dr Binks - david.binks@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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