PhD studentship in Investigation of high-speed optical communication transmission and network architectures, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London

A fully-funded PhD research studentship has become available through the award of recent grants for which we are looking to recruit high-calibre students for the following projects, starting in 2007:

: supported by Yokogawa, Japan, under the supervision of Prof Polina Bayvel/Dr Robert Killey

The aim of the research programme is to investigate the design and operation of optical communication systems operating at ultra high-speeds of 160 Gbit/s and beyond. The research will focus on the experimental implementation of single- and multi-wavelength 160 Gbit/s+ optical communications system and its use for transmission and routing of optical data. The technologies deployed must be compatible with the evolving internet architectures and be applicable as backbones for a variety of circuit-switched and packet switched optical networks. The project will focus on the the ability to generate and propagate short optical pulses (200 fs-2 ps) in dispersive media and investigate different dispersion-management scenarios as well as identify optimal pulse propagation formats (dispersion-managed soliton vs quasi-linear transmission).

The project will involve the design of dispersion and nonlinear tolerant systems and networks operating at high bit rates, including advanced phase-modulated techniques and novel formats. The project will also involve the investigation of approaches for signal conditioning/regeneration inc both optical and electronic compensation/processing.

The ONG laboratories include two terabit multi-wavelength, reconfigurable recirculating fibre loops and associated test and measurement equipment (including two 40 Gb/s bit error rate test sets, a 40 GSa/s real-time oscilloscope) for experiments at ETDM channel rates up to 40 Gb/s and OTDM rates up to 160 Gb/s as well as comprehensive free-space optics characterisation facilities.

We are seeking outstanding, enthusiastic graduates, with a first or upper second class honours degree (first class honours preferred) or equivalent and/or MSc in electronic engineering, physics or related discipline. Experience of research and/or experiments in optics, optical communications, networks, optoelectronics, and numerical modeling with Matlab, C++ or similar would be desirable. Previous/current students of the group include some 6 winners of IEEE/LEOS postgraduate fellowships awards as well as a host of other prizes from Rank Prize Funds, Institute of Physics and others, and we are looking for students of similar calibre.

All studentships are for three years and cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus a stipend at the level of approx £14,000 per annum (tax free), increasing with inflation. A higher level of stipend may be available for exceptional candidates For non-EU students there would be the possibility to enter the Overseas Research Studentship competition (deadline 1 March 2007):
(http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/scholarships/graduate/international)

Applicants must fulfill EPSRC eligibility criteria and the normal academic requirements for acceptance for postgraduate study in the Department.

Applications should be made using the UCL postgraduate study application form, obtainable at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application-admission, or from Sara Collins, +44(0) 20 7679 5760.

Candidates should indicate on the application form under ‘Programme of Study’ that they are applying for this studentship above. Candidates should send two complete sets of the application form (including references) by the closing date of 1st March 2007. However, the positions are open to start at any point after 1 February 2007 and will remain open until filled.

Informal inquiries on the studentship topics/practical details can be made to Dr B Thomsen (Dr Benn Thomsen, Dept. of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, UCL, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, England; ) or Prof P Bayvel ( ) , tel + 44 (0)207 6797921. One set forms should to be directed to the Registry (as per application form).