High-purity rare-earth complexes for preparation of ultra-high power fibre optic lasers

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Dr Richard Knighton, Prof. Geoffrey Hyett and Prof. Jayanta Sahu

The preparation of molecular rare-earth (lanthanide) complexes for chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is key to the development of rare-earth doped optical fibres for high-powered lasers. This project will deliver the next generation of CVD precursors through development of novel, volatile rare-earth complexes, using synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry.

The ability to create improved rare-earth (RE) doped fibre optics has applications in telecommunications, medical treatments, and quantum technologies. Laser systems using fibre optics are advantageous due to their superior heat dissipation compared to bulk media, and encapsulation in fibre provides good stability. The key difficulty to further development is the lack of high purity volatile rare-earth (lanthanide) precursors.

This project will focus on fundamental improvements over currently used chemical vapour deposition (CVD) precursors and is aimed at the generation-after-next technologies. This will involve preparation and complexation of ultra-high purity simple lanthanide raw materials to prepare new CVD precursors with excellent properties. Additionally, we will tailor the ligand coordination sphere to incorporate p-element dopants (e.g. F, P, B) which will impart superior photophysical performance on the final fibre optic.

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is well equipped with synthetic, CVD, and molecular and material analysis facilities. This project will leverage these capabilities and provide you with an excellent training platform. Dr Richard Knighton has extensive experience in molecular rare‑earth complexes, while Prof Geoffrey Hyett and Prof Jayanta Sahu are experts in CVD and optical fibre technologies, respectively.

This project will focus on organic and inorganic synthetic lanthanide chemistry, with an emphasis on ligand preparation and coordination chemistry, to prepare new rare-earth complexes. You'll be trained to use a range of analytical techniques including NMR, mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and luminescence spectroscopy. The University of Southampton will give you professional training and transferable skills through the PGR Development Hub which provides a suite of training courses and support services which promotes well-being and employability.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline.

Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees will be paid, and you'll receive an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year. It also offers additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment.

This project is co- funded by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• select Full time or Part time
• search for programme PhD Chemistry (7189)
• 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)