Postgraduate research project

Fabricating the future of telecommunications with Hollow Core Fibres

Funding
Competition funded View fees and funding
Type of degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Entry requirements
2:1 honours degree
View full entry requirements
Faculty graduate school
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Closing date

About the project

PhD Opportunity: Shaping the Future of Telecommunications with Hollow Core Fibres
Are you a graduate student in Physics/Engineering/Material Science or chemistry and want to be at the forefront of a technological revolution? If so, we invite you to join our collaborative project with Microsoft Azure Fiber at the University of Southampton.

Fibre optics has been the backbone of the internet revolution, transforming telecommunications over the past 50 years. However, it has reached its fundamental limits. Now, a transformative new technology is emerging - Hollow Core Fibres (HCF). Guiding light through the delicate glass microstructure of an air-filled HCF, this technology has the potential to redefine how data is transferred across the globe, offering reduced attenuation and increased transmission speed.

About the Project As part of our well-funded group and cohesive team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers to explore new HCF designs that could represent the future of data transmission. This PhD project aims to fabricate novel fibres and collaborate with our partners at Microsoft Azure Fiber, owners of one of the world’s largest global communication networks, to jointly create the future of data communications. Besides, applications of the revolutionary fibres in quantum photonics, space exploration, high energy physics and nuclear fusion will also be explored with existing collaborators worldwide.

Your Role In this project, you will delve into the physics and advanced fabrication techniques of state-of-the-art HCFs, exploring their fascinating optical properties. You will become an expert in both the fabrication and characterisation of HCFs, developing a high level of understanding of fibre optics and optical communications. You will have the opportunity to operate state-of-the-art fabrication equipment in an advanced cleanroom, and work with our external partners.

Join Us This project is based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton. The ORC has led the world in optical fibre technology research for the past 50 years. It comprised over 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and 200 researchers working in all areas of photonics. Its cluster of 12 photonics spin-out companies provides a natural career path for PhD graduates.
If you’re ready to shape the future of telecommunications with Hollow Core Fibres, we would love to hear from you. Seize this opportunity to be at the forefront of a fast-expanding discipline and make a significant impact on the future of technology.