2D material-enhanced photonic integrated circuits for quantum-enhanced Mid-IR sensing and diagnostics

Murugan Ganapathy This project will develop quantum-enhanced Mid-IR sensing by integrating Photonic Integrated Circuits, 2D-materials and engineered metasurfaces. Combining enhanced light-matter interactions with quantum sensing and machine learning, the research aims to achieve compact, highly sensitive detection of disease biomarkers, VOCs and toxic gases for biosensing and environmental monitoring. This project focuses on developing an advanced quantum sensing platform based on Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), two-dimensional (2D) materials such as Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and engineered metasurfaces for highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Quantum sensing, which exploits phenomena such as coherence and superposition, offers the potential to achieve sensitivities beyond conventional detection limits. TMDCs, with their tunable optical properties, can enhance light-matter interactions, while metasurfaces can amplify specific optical resonances and enhance Mid-IR spectroscopic signals. The project will integrate TMDC-enhanced PICs with advanced metasurface structures in Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) and waveguide configurations to develop compact, highly sensitive Mid-IR sensors. The platform will exploit quantum sensing principles to detect subtle changes associated with molecular absorption, enabling real-time detection of low concentrations of environmental pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic gases, and disease biomarkers associated with cancer and ARDS. The resulting molecular fingerprints will enable identification and quantitative analysis of target molecules. The research will involve the design and fabrication of 2D material-enhanced PICs and metasurface chips, followed by spectroscopic characterisation and proof-of-principle testing. Machine learning and advanced data analysis will be explored to improve molecular identification, quantification and classification. The ultimate aim is to develop a compact, scalable and cost-effective sensing platform combining quantum-enhanced detection with the integration and portability of photonic technologies. The School of Optoelectronics (ORC) 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. Entry requirements You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent . Fees and funding We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants. Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered. For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages . How to apply Apply now You need to: choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences select Full time or Part time search for programme PhD ORC (7097) add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application Applications should include: your CV (resumé) 2 academic references degree transcripts and certificates to date English language qualification (if applicable) Contact us Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences For questions about applying, doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk. Project leader For an initial conversation, smg@orc.soton.ac.uk.