Fibre & Systems Group

Location:  Highfield Campus
Closing Date:  Wednesday 31 August 2022
Reference:  1725222PN

Supervisory Team:    Dr Peter Horak, Prof. Michalis Zervas

Project description

We are looking for a PhD student to join our group on a project to numerically model, design, and simulate the next generation of fibre lasers.

Fibre lasers are a superb tool for applications such as laser marking, cutting, welding, and laser surgery, but we are still only beginning to understand all the features they can offer. Scaling to higher laser powers and being able to control the laser beam in space requires us to move away from standard single-mode fibres and to use multimode fibres instead. This brings new challenges in the form of multimode optical nonlinearities and instabilities which we need to understand and control in order to obtain clean, well-behaved laser output.

This project will exploit computer simulations to investigate the dynamics of the generation of light in such large, few-moded or multimoded, optical fibres. We will study the interaction between the laser gain medium and the spatial distribution of the laser light, the instabilities caused by optical nonlinearities, temperature and acoustic fluctuations, and the influence of chromatic dispersion on these processes. 

You will join a vibrant laser research team at the ORC and work on a recently funded major new research programme. Your numerical and theoretical investigations will be performed in close collaboration with experimental colleagues at the ORC and with industry collaborators. 

If you have an interest in computational physics and research in the exciting area of fibre lasers you would be highly suitable for this project. You will benefit from our world-leading expertise in these fields and our state-of-the-art cleanrooms and laboratories. You will publish research articles and give presentations at international conferences. And you will enjoy work on a PhD project that is highly relevant for the future development of the next generation of fibre lasers and their applications.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Peter Horak, Email: peh@orc.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 2022 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and an enhanced stipend of £18,000 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page. Select programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD  ORC (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr Peter Horak

Applications should include: 

• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

The School of Zepler Institute 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.