Project Description
Photonics has transformed into an enabling platform technology with application into industrial processing, communications, sensing and life sciences. Fiber-optics can offer reduced mass, volume, lower power consumption, immunity to EMI in communication and sensing systems. Specifically in the context of communications, laser-based data links are high-speed, inherently secure, immune to jamming and spoofing, and no license is required for accessing the spectrum. Photonics is expected to play a key role in terrestrial, aerospace and space markets, as fiber-optics penetrates into field-deployed systems, UAV, aircraft and satellite payloads for telecommunication or sensing. These systems require ruggedized photonic components and modules qualified against stringent requirements in terms of thermal, vibration and shock levels in order to guarantee performance over the product lifetime. The project will focus on the design, development and commercialization of cost-effective and high-performance components and sub-systems, suitable for realizing key functions such as generation amplification and reception of light signals within a terrestrial, satellite or aerial platforms, advancing the state of the art with respect to footprint, bit-rate, functionality and power efficiency.
The student will be located in an open office area with an assigned desk and laptop PC. They will be treated as a normal member of staff, which gives the student a great work-based experience. The G&H project will be largely lab-based within the well-equipped development labs on site. Students can perform computer work: simulations or documentation; at their desk on site or, where appropriate, work from home.
CDT Essential Criteria
A Masters level degree (MEng, MPhys, MSc) at 2.1 or equivalent (BEng 1st class considered for candidates with sufficient previous research project experience).
Desire to work collegiately, be involved in outreach, undertake taught and professional skills study.
Project Desirable Criteria
Experimental bias – the project will involve some aspect of simulation but will mainly be practical and lab-based.
Self-starter – able to manage own work load and drive their project forward, whilst working as part of a team.
