About the project
This project will use advanced theory and computer simulations to uncover the fundamental processes that restrict laser performance, helping design the next generation of lasers for science, industry, and healthcare.
High‑power fibre lasers are transforming technology, from precision manufacturing to medical surgery. But as we push them to ever higher powers, new physical challenges emerge. This project gives you the chance to work in a supportive, collaborative team to tackle those challenges head‑on, combining cutting‑edge physics with advanced computational tools.
The project is part of the programme, funded by the UK Research Council and based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre. Our goal is to develop the next generation of fibre lasers by combining novel fibre designs with intelligent control strategies, including machine learning, to achieve unprecedented power and beam quality.
Your will focus on numerical simulations and theoretical modelling of light generation in large‑core, few‑mode and multimode fibres. You will explore how the spatial structure of the laser beam evolves under the influence of gain, losses, nonlinear effects, dispersion, and even thermal and acoustic interactions. These insights will directly guide experiments in our labs and at our industrial partners, giving your work immediate impact.
You will gain expertise in computational physics, nonlinear optics, and laser science. Alongside technical skills, you will develop problem‑solving, collaboration, and communication abilities that are highly valued in both academia and industry. This project is ideal if you are someone excited by the idea of using simulations to unlock the physics behind some of the world’s most powerful lasers, and to shape technologies that will drive the future of manufacturing, medicine, and beyond.
