PhD Position in Frequency Modulated Optical Phased Array for Fast CO2 Sensing at Technical University of Denmark
Job Description
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a 1-3D sensing technology that can be used for remote sensing of e.g. distance, velocity or chemical composition of a gas or solid. Typically, LiDAR designs comprise a multitude of moving parts (e.g., an assembly of lasers, optics, electronics, and detectors) on a mechanically rotating stage. The need to assemble and align all these parts leads to high costs and relatively low manufacturing volumes, while the wear and tear on the mechanical components limits long-term reliability. To solve these problems, the trend is to go for higher levels of integration enabled by semiconductor technologies and move away from discrete and mechanical components. Hereby, also fast spatial scanning of the laser beam is enabled as detailed below.
DTU Electro at DTU is seeking a candidate for a PhD position to research a fast 2D beam steering LiDAR based on integrated 1D optical phased array (OPA), implemented for environmental CO2 gas sensing. The PhD student will participate in an international team in an EU-funded Doctoral Network project called NiteLiDAR. The project consists of 10 Ph.D. students at 3 universities, an international R&D organization, and a company. The project has partners from four different EU countries. All 10 Ph.d. projects are within the overall theme of photonic and electronic integrated circuits for next-generation LiDAR technologies.
This Ph.D. project will take place at DTU Electro, Risø Campus. Apart from the time at DTU there will be secondments at the Technical University Eindhoven and at Thales, France. There will also be common meetings with the other 9 Ph.D. students in the doctoral network, including 3 training schools.
As a participant of the project, the PhD student will become part of a team at DTU with expertise in optical sensor technology including wind and environmental gas sensing LiDARs. The team has in-depth knowledge of design, characterization, and application of optical sensors. The activities within the project will benefit from synergies with other projects in the group as well as with other activities at the department. The main supervisor will be Professor Christian Pedersen, DTU Electro.
Responsibilities and tasks
An OPA is a (periodic) arrangement of optical antennas that all emit light in phase to project a collimated beam. The emission angle and shape of this beam can be tuned by adjusting the relative phases and amplitudes that feed into the individual emitters or antennas. Based on theoretical modeling and experimental investigations, this project aims at developing fast CO2 gas LiDAR with large field of view, intended for short range applications, such as 2D surveillance of emission sources found in the petrochemical industry or from waste water treatment plants. The PhD student working on this project will closely collaborate with the other researchers in the field of environmental gas sensing. The project will among others consist of the following tasks:
- Modelling a frequency modulated OPA based LIDAR for CO2 gas sensing.
- Design and integrate a >20 mW frequency modulated CW laser with a gas LIDAR system including the receiver.
- Field test the LiDAR system for fence line monitoring or drone implementation.
Application procedure
To apply, please read the full job advertisement, by clicking the ‘Apply’ button