PhD position: Rainbows on Demand

The information revolution – is the most profound transformation of our culture and industry since the industrial revolution, fundamentally changing the way in which we deal with information and operate as human beings. This revolution is driven by technological advances in how data signals are transmitted, manipulated and received. In this project, we aim to create photonic circuit technologies that will generate hundreds of coherent laser lines from a single semiconductor chip. This will be achieved by creating resonant modulators and nonlinear waveguides with unprecedented efficiency and innovative monitoring and control techniques. These photonic chip comb sources will be inexpensive, compact and energy efficient with transformative impact in spectroscopy, microscopy, precision measurement, quantum computing and ultra-fast optical fibre communications.

We are looking for one highly motivated and passionate PhD student to become part of our team working with designers and ultrafast network system integrators, but particularly focussing on fabrication and realising experimental prototypes of our innovative photonic chip platforms.

The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council Discovery Project and takes places in the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC) at RMIT University. The projects will harness the world leading Micro Nano Research Facility (https://www.rmit.edu.au/mnrf ) and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (http://nanomelbourne.com).

The successful applicants will learn important research skills in the field of integrated photonics, but also other soft skills such as engaging with both industrial and academic end-users, writing of reports, giving presentations and promoting their work and working towards project milestones within timeframes. The knowledge and key skills that you will gain during your PhD studies will set you up for an inspiring career and would be particularly suitable if you have ambition to join the emerging and rapidly growing Integrated Photonics segment within the broader global high tech industry.

Please contact Dist. Prof. Arnan Mitchell or Dr. Andy Boes for more information.