Integrated ultra-high-Q ring resonators

Dr James Gates

Friday, July 31, 2026

Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Prof James Gates and Prof Corin Gawith

Integrated ring resonators are a key component in photonics and will be an enabling technology in several areas, including the stabilisation of atom trap clocks, rotation sensors and narrow-linewidth lasers. In conjunction with our partner, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), you will develop ultra-high-Q, ring resonators, for rotation sensing and timing.

These integrated resonators are a key component in photonics and will be a key enabling technology in several areas, including the stabilisation of atom trap clocks, rotation sensors and narrow-linewidth lasers. We will also work with other UK and international collaborators and PhD students to develop and demonstrate these applications. In this project, you'll design, fabricate, and test these ring resonator systems. A key aspect of the project will be glass deposition, using the state-of-the-art facilities in the university's cleanrooms.

You will also work with researchers at Caltech (with the opportunity for visits, if desired) to develop and test the fabricated devices. If you are interested in computer modelling and have the required skills, the project can also be adjusted for this. If you have an interest in photonics, microfabrication, and quantum technologies, you would be highly suitable for this project. You will benefit from our world-leading expertise in these fields and enjoy working in a highly supportive environment in the Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics Group, while collaborating with partner groups around the country within the UK National Quantum Technology Programme.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

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.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

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 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

If you have a general question, feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk.

Project leader

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact j.gates@soton.ac.uk.