About the project
This project will focus on research into the next generation of optical data communication technology enabling key applications such as high-performance computing and artificial intelligence to thrive.
Many aspects of modern life have become reliant on high bandwidth data communication, pushing the associated technology to its performance limits and contributing significantly to global energy use. Optical data communication is progressively being used to replace electrical data links over shorter and shorter distances to enable increasingly high transmission rates to be achieved and allowing performances to grow to meet future needs whilst reducing power consumption. Silicon based optical communication technology is widely considered to be the leading solution for such links since manufacturing can use silicon electronic facilities, allowing high volumes, high yield and ultimately low-cost production.
We are developing the next generation of silicon optical modulators, a key element in an optical data link enable that converts data from an electrical format into an optical format. Successful applicants will have to opportunity and work alongside world leaders in this field and to be involved in the full cycle of novel device research from concept to design and modelling, fabrication, and test.
Our group have access to all of the required tools in advanced device development. We can accurately model modulator device performance at speeds up to 100Gbaud and beyond using a range of commercial and in-house developed software packages. At Southampton we have one of the best academic cleanroom facilities in Europe allowing us to fabricated devices using a range of industry like processes. The candidate will have the opportunity to get hands on experience with the device fabrication process, supported by a team of experience technicians. Device characterisation is performed in a range of laboratories with state of the art testing equipment, allowing devices to be tested at speeds beyond 100Gbaud.
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with background in photonics, electronics, physics or material science to take on this project.
