Kerr Combs in Tapered Fiber Resonators The Dodd-Walls Centre in New Zealand

The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on the development of Kerr combs in tapered fiber resonators. Optical frequency combs are a Nobel prize-winning technology with transformative applications across science and engineering. The recently developed Kerr frequency comb provides a compact, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) alternative to traditional mode-locked laser systems, but current platforms are limited in their ability to operate at visible wavelengths and require expensive laboratory-grade lasers.

This project aims to overcome these challenges by pioneering a new Kerr-comb source based on tapered fiber resonators. Conventional high-performance Kerr-combs depend on the formation of dissipative Kerr cavity solitons—ultra-short pulses of light that maintain their shape and amplitude as they circulate within an optical cavity. Achieving stable soliton-comb generation at visible wavelengths requires anomalous dispersion, which is not possible with standard resonator platforms. The proposed tapered optical fiber cavity, with sub-micron dimensions, will enable anomalous dispersion and facilitate stable soliton-comb generation in the visible spectrum.

Further optimization will involve developing self-injection-locked operation methods, allowing comb formation using affordable commercial laser diode chips. This innovative platform opens direct pathways to visible soliton Kerr-combs, with immediate potential for new applications in photonics and quantum technologies.

The PhD project is funded for three years, covering University of Auckland tuition fees and providing a stipend of 35,000 NZD per year. The research will be conducted within the Dodd-Walls Centre, a leading institution in photonic and quantum research, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert supervision.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related fields, with experience in optics, photonics, or laser physics highly desirable. Applications are accepted year-round. For further information or to apply, contact Assoc Prof S. G. Murdoch at [email protected] or visit the Laser Lab website.