PhD Project: Photonic chip laser stabilisation
About the role
Lead University: RMIT University
Primary Supervisor: Dist Prof Arnan Mitchell (RMIT University)
Co-Supervisors:A/Prof Bill Corcoran (Monash), Prof David Lancaster (University of Adelaide), Dr Sonya Palmer (RMIT University), Prof Rob Scholten (MOGlabs), Dr Eugene Panchenko (MOGlabs)
Project Partner: MOGlabs
PhD stipend: AUD$41,555 per/annum + $5,000 per/annum top up
The project
This project will explore integration of lithium niobate integrated photonic chips as an additional modular building block to enhance the external cavity lasers currently being commercialised by MOGLabs.
The photonic chip will provide rapid and precise tuning of the laser wavelength with GHz resolution or better. This control will be used for locking to atomic references and stabilisation over hours to days.
The solution will be sufficiently flexible that it can be adapted to a wide variety of laser systems including fibre, doped glass and semiconductor lasers spanning from ultraviolet (350nm) to infrared (1700nm).
The project will focus on designing integrated photonic components using electro-optic modulators and integrated wavelength filters to achieve the desired tuning.
These will make use of significant modular building blocks for lithium niobate photonic integrated circuits already developed and available to researchers at the COMBS Centre.
The project will specifically create new interfaces between our guided wave lithium niobate chips and the free space laser cavities.
Eligibility criteria
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- The applicant should have an engineering degree or a physics degree with a first class honours or equivalent.
- Ideally the applicant would have completed a research masters in laser technology.
- The project will require interest and expertise in nonlinear optical phenomena rather than materials and device fabrication.
- Meet all RMIT PhD eligibility requirements: www.rmit.edu.au/research/research-degrees/how-to-apply
COMBS is committed to achieving gender equity and strongly encourages applications from women and women identifying candidates.
Why do a PhD with us at COMBS?
Competitive tax-free stipend
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence rate is (AUD$41,555 p/a) + $5,000 p/a top up
Be a part of our global network
Opportunities for industry internships.
Get prepared with real-world skills
Opportunities to apply for internal grant schemes to upskill.
Attend events to build your network
Supported attendance at COMBS events like the Annual Centre Workshop, theme workshops and PhD network events.
How to apply
Please use the link below to submit your application.
Valid applications must:
- Be submitted using the application portal (applications will not be accepted via email)
- Include valid data for all required fields in the application form
- Include a cover letter (maximum one page) that includes:
- Your educational/professional experience that is relevant to the specific project you are applying for,
- Why you are interested in the specific project and pursuing a PhD in COMBS, and
- Any other information you think is relevant to your application.
- Meet all RMIT PhD eligibility requirements: www.rmit.edu.au/research/research-degrees/how-to-apply
Please note: You can apply for more than one PhD project by submitting a separate application for each project you intend to apply for in the form below.
What happens after I apply?
Once you have submitted your application you will receive an email confirmation as evidence that we have received it.
After the project application window has closed, all applications will be reviewed and a shortlist selected for interviews.
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted to arrange an interview.
NOTE: If you are unsuccessful in being shortlisted, you will still be contacted with this information so please avoid contacting us for updates on the status of your application.
Should you be offered the project after your interview, you will be required to apply for enrolment in a PhD program at the relevant university. Your successful enrolment will be dependent on meeting the university’s eligibility requirements so it is essential that you check these before applying with us to avoid disappointment.
The team you'll be joining
Professor Arnan Mitchell
Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell is an expert in integrated photonics who works with academics and industry to create technology solutions with real world impact.
Dr William (Bill) Corcoran
Bill is an optical communications researcher focusing on using novel photonic technologies to fix problems in the systems underpinning the backbone of the internet.
Professor David Lancaster
David is a laser researcher and inventor who is interested in sensing, defence and advanced manufacturing applications.
Professor Robert Scholten
Robert is the Co-Founder of MOGLabs and will partner with us to discover how COMBS’ technology can transform lasers for metrology.
Dr Eugene Panchenko
Eugene is a Lead Systems Engineer at MOGLabs. His research areas of interest include optoelectronics, micro- and nanoelectronics, photonics, advanced fabrication, semiconductors and fibre optics.
Dr Sonya Palmer
Sonya is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Current and Emergent Quantum Technologies.
Our culture at COMBS
We value gender equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, and we recognise the importance of intersectionality.
We are committed to creating an environment that embraces and harnesses these intersections to do the best science we can.
We invite you to join us to become part of our diverse and inclusive COMBS community.
Hear from others who have done a PhD at a Centre of Excellence
Read about your future teams' research
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, but you must submit a separate application for each project you intend to apply for.
The cover letter should highlight:
- Your educational/professional experience that is relevant to the specific project you are applying for,
- Why you are interested in the specific project and pursuing a PhD in COMBS, and
- Any other information you think is relevant to your application.
Each university has their own English requirements so you must check the relevant university’s website for details (linked with each project description above).
Visa approval times vary but will usually be completed within 2-3 months. You can check the current estimated approval time on this website (search for Student visa (subclass 500)): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times