Supervisors: Prof Nikolay Zheludev, Prof Kevin MacDonald, Dr Eric Plum, Associate Prof Giorgio Adamo
About the Project
Time crystals are an eagerly sought phase of matter with unique functionalities. This project will explore the exciting physics of time crystals and the foundations of 'timetronics', an information and data processing paradigm relying on the unique characteristics of this sophisticated yet esoteric state of matter.
The earliest computers, from the abacus to sophisticated clockwork calculators, were mechanical and digital. They dominated computation well into the twentieth century. Why did electronics ultimately prevail? It's advantage was the transition to the nanoscale, where transistors enabled fast operation, dense integration, scalable manufacturing, and cascaded binary Boolean logic. Can mechanical computers also be scaled to the nanoscale, and if so, could they compete with electronic architectures?
As the central building block for mechanical computation, based on the concept of a time crystal, we examine the 'timetron': a nanomechanical element switched by light between two dynamical states of motion – rest and sustained oscillation – encoding logical '0' and '1' states for timetronic data processing. Based on the timetron, key logical and memory elements can be implemented, at femtojoule-level switching energies, and with only a few femtowatts of optical power required to sustain the logical state.
Our Nanophotonics research group is a multinational team of students, postdoctoral and academic staff working together on various aspects of cutting-edge nanophotonics research. We explore, develop and demonstrate the physics and technology of novel materials and light-matter interaction phenomena at sub-wavelength scales, with wide-ranging applications potential e.g. in optical metrology, sensing, super-resolution imaging, data processing, and advanced manufacturing. Our work is supported by large research grants (currently totalling >£20M) from the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is a world-leading photonics research organization. With over 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and a diverse community of around 200 researchers working in all areas of optics and photonics, it provides an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for postgraduate students.
Our extensive training programme provides knowledge and skills through photonics lectures, training for report writing, project management, time management, presentation skills and full safety training for your research area – all essential life skills for the next step in your career. Find out more about photonics and optoelectronics at the University of Southampton.
Within this project, you will have opportunity to develop advanced skills in experimental photonics, computational electromagnetic modelling, nanofabrication, the application of machine learning and AI, and electron and optical microscopy. Our students typically publish several papers in leading academic journals and present their work at a number of major international conferences, as their research progresses.
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- physics
- optics
- photonics
- nanomaterials science
- or closely related disciplines
Fees and funding
This project is funded by EPSRC research project '3D Nanoscale Metamaterials to deliver a sustainable future ("MetaHub")' (524703101).
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.
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
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, zheludev@soton.ac.uk.
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.