Femtosecond laser inscription of photonic components for the mid-infrared spectral range

The PhD offer is a cotutelle PhD position between the COPL/Laval University (Québec, Canada) and the ICMCB/University of Bordeaux (Talence, France). The position has to be attributed before the end of 2025.

Context. Over the past decade, photonics has made remarkable progress in developing new approaches to materials processing and laser manufacturing, as well as for achieving advanced integrated architectures for enhanced optical sensing, optical communications, photonic integrated circuits in the classical or quantum regime or for new laser systems. Nowadays, a wide range of applications and societal needs call for further exploration of the mid-infrared (Mid-IR) spectral range, enabling us to address environmental aspects (spectroscopy of atmospheric pollutants in their Mid-IR fingerprint region) or safety/security aspects (remote sensing in harsh environments thanks to fiber sensors). In this framework, there is a strong need to push research effort for developing new expertise in material science and material processing, especially by developing spectrally selective photonic components such as waveguides and Bragg gratings to achieve new integrated photonic architectures or platforms for the Mid-IR spectral range [1].

Objectives. The PhD position aims at developing new expertise in femtosecond laser inscription of photonic components in a promising glass family with extended spectral transparency in the Mid-IR, namely the heavy metal oxide glass family of germano-gallate glasses [2-4]. Under relevant glass composition, these glasses can be drawn as fibers so that both bulk and fiber geometries will be considered. Laser-induced refractive index modifications will be investigated, to reach maximal amplitude modifications for the creation of robust and low-loss waveguides as well as periodic structures at the root of spectrally selective photonic Bragg gratings operating in the Mid-IR. Laser-inscription of photonic components such as Bragg gratings in bulk glasses will target demonstrating volume Bragg gratings compatible with spectroscopic applications [5,6] while their creation in fibers will allow for targeting integrated fiber optical resonators for sensing applications [7]. Management of laser inscription will take benefits of distinct phase mask approaches for fiber and/or volume Bragg gratings, and it will also imply the development of beam shaping strategies. Finally, doped heavy metal glasses with rare earth laser active ions will also be considered, requiring their spectroscopic characterization. The laser-inscription in these doped heavy metal glasses will target the demonstration of new fiber lasers operating in the Mid-IR range [1,8].

Required skills.
-  Master degree in photonics, physics or physico-chemistry.
-  Motivated and pro-active with scientific curiosity, able to evolve and interact in
international groups, with good organization ability and good communication skills
(both oral and written in English and French).
-  Pre-requisites preferred in (ultrafast) lasers, integrated optics or fiber optics.

Environment. The PhD Directors have more than 15 years expertise in photonic components development, including femtosecond laser structuring, laser-induced photo-chemistry, photonic sensors, Bragg gratings inscription and development of fiber lasers, ensuring broad background in the PhD topic. Moreover, the COPL and ICMCB laboratories have been involved for more than a decade in several research projects, providing a high-level stimulating environment. This cotutelle PhD position will thus take place in a pluri-disciplinary and international environment, taking benefits of the unique laser inscription facilities of both groups. The PhD candidate will also interact with highly recognized material scientists from both COPL and ICMCB, taking benefits of the progress to come in heavy metal oxide glasses.

Contract. The PhD offer is a 36 months position (typically shared 50%-50% between both research groups). The PhD position includes actively following a given amount of training and educational sessions both in University of Bordeaux (Talence, France) and in Laval University (Québec, Canada). The grant amount (typical annual gross salary) is ~26 400 € (ICMCB, France) / ~35 000 CAN$ (COPL, Québec).

How to candidate. Applications will include a detailed curriculum, a detailed description of academic marks during the Bachelor and Master degrees, a detailed letter specifying the motivations to apply as well as the personal experience and/or expertise (achieved internships and/or projects). Recommendation letters are highly welcome.

Application will take place at ICMCB and/or COPL by contacting the PhD supervisors (see here after):
- Full Prof. Martin Bernier (COPL/Laval U.)
- Assoc. Prof. Yannick Petit (ICMCB/U. Bordeaux)

Location at Bordeaux : LightTEC research platform / ICMCB / University of Bordeaux

(3 fs-laser intra-volume inscription setups + 1 fs-laser 3D-printing setup + integrated optics characterization setups (waveguide metrology) + diffractive optics characterization setup (goniometric diffraction setup for Volume Bragg Gratinfs + micro-spectrometry UV-VIS-near/IR under microscope LabRAM HR800 + UV-VIS-IR macroscopic spectrometers + glass synthesis & characterization facility + 2 fiber towers)

Location at Québec : Centre Optique Photonique et Laser (COPL, Université Laval, Québec) - centre leader mondial en photonique
https://coplweb.ca
https://coplweb.ca/membres/martin-bernier/

Required skills.
-  Master degree in photonics, physics or physico-chemistry.
-  Motivated and pro-active with scientific curiosity, able to evolve and interact in
international groups, with good organization ability and good communication skills
(both oral and written in English and French).
-  Pre-requisites preferred in (ultrafast) lasers, integrated optics or fiber optics.

Environment. The PhD Directors have more than 15 years expertise in photonic components development, including femtosecond laser structuring, laser-induced photo-chemistry, photonic sensors, Bragg gratings inscription and development of fiber lasers, ensuring broad background in the PhD topic. Moreover, the COPL and ICMCB laboratories have been involved for more than a decade in several research projects, providing a high-level stimulating environment. This cotutelle PhD position will thus take place in a pluri-disciplinary and international environment, taking benefits of the unique laser inscription facilities of both groups. The PhD candidate will also interact with highly recognized material scientists from both COPL and ICMCB, taking benefits of the progress to come in heavy metal oxide glasses.

Contract. The PhD offer is a 36 months position (typically shared 50%-50% between both research groups). The PhD position includes actively following a given amount of training and educational sessions both in University of Bordeaux (Talence, France) and in Laval University (Québec, Canada). The grant amount (typical annual gross salary) is ~26 400 € (ICMCB, France) / ~35 000 CAN$ (COPL, Québec).