新型空芯光纤中光与声的相互作用博士研究员

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Postgraduate research project

Interaction of light and sound in emerging hollow core optical fibres

Funding

Competition funded

Competition funded

View fees and funding

Type of degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Entry requirements

2:1 honours degree

2:1 honours degree

View full entry requirements

Faculty graduate school

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Closing date

31 Aug 2027

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About the project

Potential supervisors

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How to apply

Contact us

About the project

Potential supervisors

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How to apply

Contact us

About the project

At the Optoelectronics Research Centre, we are leading the world in developing a new generation of optical fibres that guide light through an empty core rather than glass. This project deals with studying how these new emerging fibres interact with sound and vibration and how to harness this property.

The optical fibres being developed through this research could revolutionise applications ranging from optical communications to ultraprecise optical sensors. Our hollow-core optical fibres harness some truly intriguing physics to guide light in an air-filled core region over tens of kilometres distance and are now outperforming standard optical fibres. However, their transformative potential in many areas remains largely unexplored.

The objectives of this project are to study how light propagating in the hollow-core fibres interacts with vibrations and sound waves. Examples could include ultra-stable interferometers for studying interaction of quantum states with gravity or to obtain lasers with unprecedented stability. Another example is distributed acoustic sensing, needed in various fields such as structural monitoring in aerospace.

If you are enthusiastic, eager to work in a vibrant environment, and motivated to make a difference, this could be the perfect project for you. You will be working within a group of world-renowned scientists at the forefront of research into an exciting technology and have access to state-of-the art hollow core fibres and top-class optical laboratories. You will also interact with our partners such as Institute of Sound and Vibration at the University of Southampton and National Physical Laboratory in London.

The School of Optoelectronics (ORC) is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Potential supervisors

Lead supervisor

Professor Radan Slavik

Professor of Photonics

Research interests

• In recent years, there have been significant developments in lightwave technologies enabling wide exploitation of optical phase, as exemplified in particular by the dawn of Coherent Optical Communications - the key enabler for the growth in the capacity of the Internet. This is due to many key breakthroughs in laser technology (low-noise low-cost and compact lasers), new revolutionary concepts that have recently been introduced (e.g., the Optical Frequency Comb, the significance of which was demonstrated by the award of a Nobel Prize in 2005), and significant advances in electronics that, thanks to the increased speeds now possible, can accommodate the processing of very complicated coherent (amplitude + phase) signals.

• Another exciting field is Hollow Core Optical fibres, which guides ligth in a central hole surrounded by a microstructure that prevents light escaping from the core. Although known for over 20 years, only very recently their fabrication enabled them to use their full potential.

Supervisors

Professor Gilberto Brambilla

Associate Dean (International)

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:

• mathematics

• engineering

• physics

Fees and funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

• select Full time or Part time

• search for programme PhD ORC (7097)

• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)

• 2 academic references

• degree transcripts and certificates to date

• English language qualification (if applicable)

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

For questions about applying, email our Doctoral College (doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk).

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Prof Radan Slavik (R.Slavik@soton.ac.uk).