PhD in Electronics and Electrical Engineering – Photonic Crystal Enhanced Single Photon Avalanche Diodes for Quantum Imaging

Single photon avalanche diodes are devices that can time the arrival of single photons of light. There are numerous applications that are dependent on, or could benefit significantly from SPADs, such as autonomous vehicle LIDAR for creating 3D maps of the environment, imaging through obscurants such as fog or smoke, remote gas sensing of greenhouse gases, quantum-enhanced imaging, quantum-key distrubition and quantum computing.

Currently, the state-of-the-art SPADs that operate in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral region are extremely expensive and suffer from afterpulsing; an effect that limits the repetition rate of the device. We have developed a SPAD technology based on Group IV semiconductor materials that can be low cost, thanks to combability with Si foundries; the type of foundry used to create CMOS electronics.

In your project, you will develop SPAD cameras that can be used for 3D imaging, with applications in healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and security. You will be trained in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre; a state-of-the-art facility with over £35M of equipment. This will enable you to fabricate SPAD cameras that will then be characterized in optics laboratories. The work will involve the enhancement and optimization of this technology using ‘photonic crystals’; periodic structures that can be used to trap photons of light and increase the devices ability to detect light.

This project will involve collaboration between a number of universities, and you will benefit from being part of a research group with a broad range of academic and industrial collaborators from across Europe and North America.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a 1^st class degree in engineering, physics or chemistry, with background knowledge of semiconductor physics. No prior nano-fabrication experience is required. Experience of programming will also be beneficial to the project, but is not essential. You must be self-motivated, have good interpersonal skills, and be interested in conducting interdisciplinary work that combines theory, simulation, fabrication and characterisation.

If you would like to apply, please contact Ross.Millar@glasgow.ac.uk.

You can also find details of the application process at:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.