PhD on Integrated Metaphotonics

Are you excited about shaping the future of broadband integrated photonic circuits?
Would you like to work on cutting-edge research that combines metaphotonics, advanced device design, and cleanroom fabrication?
Are you motivated to develop next-generation wavelength demultiplexers and contribute to compact optical systems for on-chip imaging, sensing, and communication?

The integrated photonics field
Similar to electronic ICs, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are revolutionizing areas such as healthcare, communication and sensing, and have the potential to be disruptive to the whole society. Novel PIC components will have a big impact on the fields of sensing and processing.

Integrated metaphotonics
Over the past few years, two innovative techniques have surfaced, offering the potential to reshape the field of integrated photonics like never before since its establishment: inverse design and heterogeneous integration. Originally stemming from advancements in mathematics and nanotechnology, the combination of these methods promises to unlock a new class of photonic devices and systems that exceed today’s perceived performance limitations. We refer to this groundbreaking direction as integrated metaphotonics.

The position
We offer a PhD position in this fast-paced research field, embedded within a world-class research group.

The use of photonics for information processing is a key focus in optics research. Today’s optics emphasize ultra-compact designs, high integration, and rapid processing speeds. As a result, nanophotonics has been extensively studied for information processing applications over the past few decades.

Metaphotonics capable of manipulating optical wavefronts with arbitrary shapes have been suggested to couple light from PICs. In this research position going beyond this, focuses on the investigation of inverse optimization approach to obtain an optimally designed metastructures for tailoring guided waves and massive emergent applications which can be integrated in a photonic chip such as multiplexers, mode and/or polarization converters and isolators.

In this PhD project, you will explore integrated metaphotonics components for broadband wavelength demultiplexing across the UV to NIR spectrum. Your work will contribute to the development of compact, low-loss, and broadband photonic devices by: (a) investigating and designing advanced metaoptical structures, (b) introducing and applying novel design concepts such as topology optimization and adiabatic mode evolution with multicore waveguides, and (c) working towards the integration of these components onto photonic chips for applications in information processing, including on-chip image processing.

The project will involve concept development, numerical simulations, cleanroom fabrication, and optical characterization in state-of-the-art facilities. You will be embedded within the Photonic Integration (PhI) research group, collaborating closely with experts in material platforms, inverse design, and chip-scale photonics.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3.084, max. € 3.881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.