Engineering Coherence in Metamaterials and Metasurfaces

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Dr Giorgio Adamo and Dr Eric Plum

Systems where coherence establishes spontaneously, such as lasers, Bose-Einstein condensates, superradiant emitters and time crystals, are important for classical and quantum technologies. Photonic metamaterials/metasurfaces are ideal platforms to foster the emergence of coherent phenomena. This project will study how coupling between nanostructures can mediate coherence and enable future photonic devices.

Metasurfaces are thin planar arrays of subwavelength nanostructures that have transformed the way we can control light-matter interaction. Specially designed nanostructured metasurfaces can be engineered to exhibit enhanced and collective coherent responses that emerge spontaneously. These metasurfaces leverage subwavelength nanopatterns- metaatoms - that support strongly resonant electromagnetic fields to foster higher interaction between the individual elements, or with quantum emitters.

During the project you will study how the design parameters and photonic modes of individual metaatoms /array of metaatoms, influences the interaction with quantum emitters. By combining experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical modelling, you will research strategies to engineer the short- and long-range interactions, with the aim of observing the emergence of unconventional regimes like superradiance, Bose-Einstein condensation, and temporal crystallinity.

You will join the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), a world-leading photonics research organization, and collaborate closely with students, researchers and academic experts. You will be encouraged to take initiative, develop and test your own ideas. You will have the opportunity to engage in collaborations, research meetings and to present your work at major international conferences. Your research is expected to generate several papers in leading academic journals and contribute to shaping the future of this exciting field. As you progress through the project, you'll gain highly transferable skills in cleanroom nanofabrication, photonic and optoelectronic materials, device design, manufacturing and characterisation, numerical simulations. You'll also explore new concepts and play an active role in shaping innovative ideas. This experience will prepare you for opportunities in academia and industry.

For further information visit our postgraduate research pages.

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in physics, engineering, mathematics, materials science or closely related disciplines.

Fees and funding

Full scholarships include tuition fees, a stipend at the UKRI rate plus 10% ORC enhancement tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years (totalling £22,858 for 2025/26, rising annually) and a budget of £4200 for things like conference travel. UK, EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers.

Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply

How to apply

Apply now

• programme type: research
• academic year: 2026/27
• if you will be full time or part time
• faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences
• search for programme PhD ORC (7097)
• please add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts/ certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)