Vacancy: Photonic Circuits for Wireless Microwave Applications (Open)

Context

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are becoming increasingly powerful, especially for high-speed datacommunication. But the high bandwidth of optical signals also makes them very useful for transport of high-frequency microwave signals, by encoding those signals onto an optical carrier. This way, many high-frequency signals can be transported over a long distance using optical fiber, to the point where they need to be used (e.g. an antenna). This makes it possible to implement distributed microwave systems for wireless communication, radar, and sensors.
The Photonics Research Group (PRG) and IDlab, two research groups at Ghent University and IMEC, have just started a new project GLIMWASP on this topic, to implement microwave photonic functionality for wireless applications, using programmable photonic chips.
Programmable chips are a new class of photonic chip that make it possible to define the functionality in software, through a layer of electronic tuners that adjust the paths of light in the photonic circuit.

Job Description

We have opened a PhD position in the context of the GLIMWASP project. We are looking for a candidate with a background in photonics and/or electronics and/or RF engineering. As a PhD candidate, you will be performing research in collaboration between the two research teams of prof. Wim Bogaerts (PRG) and prof. Guy Torfs (IDlab), bringing together new photonic and electronic concept to realize new system demonstrations of microwave photonic functionalities. In the GLIMWASP project, we aim de demonstrate microwave beamforming, a low-power radar, a microwave photonics probe and a frequency synthesizer.
In this position, you will be collaborating with other researchers in both groups. The work includes
- Photonic chip design
- Electronics design
- Co-integration of photonics and electronics
- Electromagnetic and circuit simulations
- Building characterization setups
- Testing demonstrators
During the 4-year PhD period, you will get ample opportunity to build up new skill sets to accomplish these tasks. You will build on existing expertise in both research groups, bringing the knowledge together to realize new concepts.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:
- M.Sc. in Photonics, electronics or RF engineering
- Good programmable skills (More than scripting)
- Hands-on experience with electronics (not necessarily IC design, but that is a bonus)
- A open mindset to learn new things, and problem solving skills
- Fluency in English.

About Us

The Photonics Research Group (about 130 people) is an associated lab of imec, and is part of the Department of Information Technology of Ghent University. The group is headed by Prof. D. Van Thourhout and has been active in photonics device research for many years. Prof. Wim Bogaerts, the promotor of this work, is one of the other 11 professors in this group. The main research directions are silicon(-nitride) nanophotonics, heterogeneous integration, optical communication, quantum optics, photonic (bio)sensors and photonic integrated circuits for biomedical applications in the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelength range. More in particular, the programmable photonics work, which was started in 2016, aims to build highly functional photonic systems that can be controlled in software to serve a variety of applications, and power the next generation of photonic systems.
The IDLab-Design group is a leading group in IC design for next generation datacom and radio-over-fiber networks. Within this group, prof. Guy Torfs focuses on analog radio-over-fiber, with custom-designed transceivers pushing to 60 GHz and 140 GHz. GLIMWASP expands this into advanced functionality (beamforming, signal processing, …) and provides a unique path to realize 140 GHz analog links, both for upstream and downstream links.
The collaboration between PRG and IDLab-Design on programmable microwave photonics (not yet published) will gain significant momentum with the recently started GLIMWASP project.

How to apply?

Candidates should submit their CV and a motivation through the application forms using the link below.

More information

• Contact: Wim Bogaerts
• Project: FWO: GLIMWASP (General-purpose LIght and MicroWave Analog Signal Processor (G0ACJ25N))

Related research topics

• Reconfigurable Photonic Circuits