New generation rare-earth doped silica optical fibres for high-power lasers

Fibre lasers that are increasingly becoming the light source of choice for a wide range of industrial and scientific applications have spurred the development of new types of rare-earth (i.e., Yb, Er, Tm, and Ho) doped fibres, each with a unique set of properties to match with the specific applications. Since the fibre designs and material properties of the fibre core have become critical to the performance of the fibre lasers, a more powerful fibre fabrication process is required than the current industry standard process, which is MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition) - solution doping technique.
In this PhD project, we will develop novel optical fibre materials and fabrication techniques for the realisation of advanced rare-earth doped fibres with tailored dopant profiles and large core, as required for the next generation of high power fibre lasers and amplifiers. In addition, the spectroscopic characterisation of rare-earth doped fibres and realisation of high power lasers and amplifiers will be undertaken to guide the development of the new generation of high power fibres.