Ultra-stable Hollow core fibre photonics

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Prof. Radan Slavik, Dr. Meng Ding and Dr. Giuseppe Marra

About the project

This project will investigate how emerging new class of optical fibres, hollow-core fibres, can revolutionize highly-stable lasers and their applications including accurate time keeping, positioning, or study of Earth seismic activities. It will be carried out in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in London.

At the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), we are leading the world in developing a new generation of optical fibres that promise a revolution in applications ranging from optical communications to ultraprecise optical sensors.

Our hollow-core optical fibres harness some truly intriguing physics to guide light in an air-filled core region over tens of kilometres distance and are now outperforming standard optical fibres. However, their transformative potential in many areas remain largely unexplored.

This project will investigate how the new hollow-core fibres can revolutionize highly-stable lasers, of interest in various fields including accurate time keeping, positioning, and communications in space. This project will be carried out in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory in London.

Alongside supervisors from the ORC, this project will be co-supervised by Dr Giuseppe Marra, Principal Scientist, NPL.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, in physics, engineering or a closely related discipline.

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. Chinese Scholarship Council funded 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

Please apply via the online portal and select:

• 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
• 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)

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.