Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage
School of Mathematics and Physics | PhDEntry Year
Academic Year 2023/24
Entry Requirements
2.1
Overview
The EPSRC - SFI Centre for Doctoral Training offers a vibrant and diverse research community. Students complete a unique four-year PhD training in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage, leading to a jointly awarded degree from Queen's University Belfast and the University of Glasgow. Designed and delivered in close collaboration with an impressive range of industrial partners, the CDT provides a cutting-edge and innovative research environment for doctoral students to develop the new technologies, products and systems required to address the expanding data storage needs of today’s fast moving digital world. The programme aims to equip students with high-level and sophisticated technical training and skills alongside much sought after skills in distributed working, collaboration, entrepreneurship and business planning skills. CDT students enjoy a substantial funding package which provides an individual budget for project research expenses and for mobility and conference travel. CDT students are exposed to best practice commonly used in large scientific and development projects, including annual conclaves for the dissemination of ideas and network building, and peer-to-peer learning and training in world-leading fabrication, characterization and analysis techniques. Our doctoral students join of a close-knit community of postgraduate research students who are supported by world-leading researchers from Queen's University's Centre for Nanostructured Media, host to the largest global Seagate Technology university engagement, and from the University of Glasgow whose capabilities include the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre in the Engineering & Microscopy facility of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Students spend time at both universities benefiting from the excellent facilities available to postgraduates including The Graduate School at Queen's and The Graduate School at Glasgow. In addition we also include a formal collaboration with the Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC), based in Cork & Dublin. The cohorts from Belfast/Glasgow and those at IPIC come together several times a year for events and activities.
Subject Summary
The PIADS four-year integrated doctoral programme creates a rich training environment which exposes research students to a range of methodologies and approaches. The programme comprises two phases (1)Orientation & Skills Phase (2) Research Phase. Throughout both phases, we exploit the variety of locations across the UK & Ireland to strengthen the cohort by providing training in effective collaboration and working in partnership across geographic divides – a core ethos of the CDT. Throughout, it provides multiple opportunities for students to take part in local, national & international conferences, placements and external engagement opportunities. The Orientation and Skills Phase runs from September to May in year one. It is a carefully constructed blend of taught research & skills courses, taken over two semesters. Semester One is completed onsite at the University of Glasgow, whilst semester two is onsite at Queen’s University Belfast. Course delivery is through a mix of classroom-based, seminar-based, project work & online self-directed study. Assessment of all courses in this phase takes the form of assignments, presentations & examinations. Each semester includes: • 20 credits of scientific/technical courses providing fundamental underpinning knowledge; • 30 credit, semester-long research project aligned with research themes giving new students exposure to research groups, non-CDT students, facilities & staff and builds in a period for the development of doctoral projects in partnership with earlier students/cohorts & academics; • 10 credits of enhanced skills courses created, delivered & assessed with direct input from our industry partners. During the 9-month Orientation & Skills Phase the CDT academics, student cohort & industry partners collaborate to co-create a set of substantive projects which maximise the capabilities, research strengths and priorities of both the institutions and our industrial partners. The programme structure allows for a joint MRes degree to be awarded after 12 months, should any student leave the programme at this point. The Research Phase gets underway in June of the first year. Each student undertakes a doctoral research project which maximises the world class facilities of the PIADS academic and industrial partnership base. The CDT supports doctoral projects over a range of TRLs (from fundamental issues through to applications) in line with the Centre’s five main research themes. All doctoral research projects make use of research strengths & facilities on a cross-institutional basis. In keeping with the partnership ethos of the CDT, all research projects have cross institutional supervisory teams. PIADS students benefit from multidisciplinary supervision by encouraging them to approach research challenges from new & differing perspectives. The Programme includes ongoing embedded training for its research students who also complete the professionally accredited & internationally recognised Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management. Two key annual cohort events run across both phases throughout the programme: a well-established 2-day CDT Conclave takes place each June and a 3-day residential Winter School.
Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage Highlights
Industry Links
- The CDT programme has been designed in close consultation with our impressive range of industrial partners ((Seagate Technology, IQE plc, Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global, Fraunhofer Institute, Oxford Instruments, Andor, Yelo, Cirdan Imaging, Causeway Sensors, Kelvin Nanotechnology, aXenic, Thales).
PIADS students benefit from high-levels of industrial exposure throughout the four-year programme, with ongoing and plentiful opportunities to engage with these partners, through placements, annual conclaves, industry-led seminars and site visits. They also have exclusive access to bespoke training provided by partners, such as the highly regarded "teamwork and collaboration skills in a cross-geographical environment" delivered by Seagate Technology as part of their Global Leadership Programme.
Career Development
- Graduating doctoral students are equipped with the high level scientific and engineering research skills needed to address the challenges of integrating photonics and advanced materials as well as with the entrepreneurial, leadership and teamwork capabilities needed to lead and operate at the highest levels in industry. The programme is a gateway to a vast array of career paths from data storage, semiconductors, telecommunications, biophotonics and more. CDT students can progress into a range of research and development, technical and management roles in industry or academia
World Class Facilities
- Throughout the four-years of the programme students benefit from supervision and interaction with leading academics and access to the world-class facilities at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre at the University of Glasgow, the Centre for Nanostructured Media and the Atomistic Simulation Centre at Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Photonic Integration Centre in Cork.
Student Experience
- PIADS research students engage in collaborative research with joint supervision from leading academics from both Queen’s University Belfast and from the University of Glasgow. To support their research, CDT students enjoy a substantial funding package which provides them with a Macbook for the duration of the programme and enables them to travel and attend conferences, workshops and specialist training as well as allowing them to purchase materials/research consumables.
Key Facts
The CDT is a partnership between Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Glasgow and the Irish Photonic integration Centre which aims to tackle some of the challenges created by the increasing quantities of data generated by today's society.
- The programme is delivered by leading academics from both Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Glasgow and leads to a jointly awarded research degree from both institutions.
- CDT students benefit from access to top academics in the field from both universities and avail of taring and collaborative research opportunity with the Irish Photonic Integration Centre.
I chose this CDT programme due to the direct connections to key industry contacts and the diverse research opportunities available. The first year was created from what is wanted by employers, increasing technical knowledge, business acumen and innovative abilities. Because of this, I feel the addition of a first year gives CDT students an advantage over typical PhD students who may not have the same extensive opportunities to develop skills in these areas.
Current CDT Student
Course content
Research Information
Research Projects
CDT research students are engaged on a range of challenging doctoral research projects across the Centre's five main research themes as shown below.
Theme 1: Ultra-reliable semiconductor lasers operating in hostile environments. Current Projects in this thematic area include
-Semiconductor Lasers for Harsh Environments
-Hybrid optical components for advanced quantum systems
-GaN blue lasers for photonic integration
-Quantum Dot Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Laser
-Development of 25GBIT/S Distributed Feedback (DFB) Laser Devices
-Advanced Epitaxial Solutions for Compound Semiconductor Component Integration
-Development of a Multispectral Coherent Lidar
Theme 2: Low cost planar lightwave circuit platforms suitable for volume manufacture. Current Projects in this thematic area include
-Design Optimisation for an Integrated Optical Device based on Laser Interactions with Nanostructured Arrays
-Hybrid Integrated Silicon Photonic Transceiver
-Heterogeneous integration of III-V lasers to optical waveguides
-Advanced Materials for Photonic Integration
Theme 3: Novel nanoplasmonic devices capable of operating in extreme environments. Current projects include
-Plasmonic Antennas for Extreme Light Concentration and Harvesting
-Plasmonic properties of silver fractal nanostructures
-Advanced Metrology for Templated Nanostructures
-Nanostructured Plasmonic Arrays for Optical Detection
-High Thermal Stability Plasmonic Materials - Beyond Noble Metals - for HAMR Antennae
Theme 4: Atomic scale analysis techniques. Current projects include
-Antiferromagnetic Materials for Optical Recording
-New Forms of Magnetic Storage: Manipulation of Skyrmion Lattices for Memory and Logic
-Developing the Use of Functional Domain Walls in Oxides for Memory Storage Applications
-Structure and Ferroic Ordering at Conducting Domain Walls
-Exploring the Role of Magnetostriction in Permalloy Multilayers Using Transmission Electron Microscopy
-Reprogrammable Micromagnetic Transport
-Making and Characterising Atomic Scale ID P-N Junctions for Nanoscale Logic Gates
-Exploring Domain Cross-Talk and Cycling Effects in Polcrystralline Ferroics
Theme 5: Advanced materials for magnetic recording. Current projects include
-Mapping Plasmonic Excitations of Patterned TiN Nano-elements in the Scanning-transmission Electron Microscope
-Thermal effects in nanostructured magnetic materials
-Exploring 3D Nanopatterned Structures Fabricated by Plasma FIB
-Manipulation and Exploitation of the Dynamic Processes of Skyrmions
Research Themes
Ultra-reliable semiconductor lasers operating in hostile environments. e.g:
-Semiconductor Lasers for Harsh Environments
-Hybrid optical components for advanced quantum systems
-GaN blue lasers for photonic integration
-Quantum Dot Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Laser
Low cost planar lightwave circuit platforms suitable for volume manufacture. e.g:
-Design Optimisation for an Integrated Optical Device based on Laser Interactions with Nanostructured Arrays
-Hybrid Integrated Silicon Photonic Transceiver
-Heterogeneous integration of III-V lasers to optical waveguides
Novel nanoplasmonic devices capable of operating in extreme environments. e.g:
-Plasmonic Antennas for Extreme Light Concentration and Harvesting
-Plasmonic properties of silver fractal nanostructures
Atomic scale analysis techniques. e.g:
-Antiferromagnetic Materials for Optical Recording
-New Forms of Magnetic Storage: Manipulation of Skyrmion Lattices for Memory and Logic
-Developing the Use of Functional Domain Walls in Oxides for Memory Storage Applications
-Structure and Ferroic Ordering at Conducting Domain Walls
Advanced materials for magnetic recording. e.g:
-Mapping Plasmonic Excitations of Patterned TiN Nano-elements in the Scanning-transmission Electron Microscope
-Thermal effects in nanostructured magnetic materials
Research Impact
The CDT is a partnership between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Glasgow which aims to tackle some of the challenges created by the increasing quantities of data generated by today's society.
Established in 2014 with substantial investment from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), both universities and industrial partners including Seagate, the industry leader in hard disc drives and storage solutions, the Centre is helping to address a skills shortage in the photonics industry by educating future scientists and engineers.
The Centre’s focus is on developing highly-manufacturable photonic integration technologies related to the magnetic storage of digital information. The development of these technologies will be relevant to a wide spectrum of end-users – from telecommunications to biophotonics, in which optical technologies are applied to living organisms and health care.
The CDT had renewal funded awarded in 2019 to further develop and grown the programme most notable the partnership with IPIC will see them add 5 PhDs p.a. to the CDTs recruitment of 10 PhD/EngD p.a. so sustaining a collaboration exceeds over one hundred researchers.
Research Success
CDT students benefit from access to top academics in the field from both universities and have access to the state of the art facilities at the Centre for Nanostructured Media at QUB and the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow.
The available research projects fall under five research themes:
• Ultra-reliable semiconductor lasers operating in hostile environments
• Low cost planar lightwave circuit platforms, suitable for volume manufacture
• Novel nanoplasmonic devices capable of operating in extreme environments
• Advanced materials for magnetic recording
• Atomic scale analysis techniques.
These themes encompass the expertise of our staff from the Schools of Physics and Astronomy, School of Engineering at Glasgow and the Centre for Nanostructured Media in Belfast in underlying science and materials for next-generation data storage and information-processing technologies. An increasing role for advanced functional materials and optics and optical excitations, particularly in ever-diminishing dimensions in a host of applications.
Our established strengths in these themes places the CDT in a unique position to offer globally leading training and research opportunities. Throughout the CDT programme, students have opportunities to undertake internships and placements with our industrial partners.
CDT students join the cutting-edge and innovative research environments at both Queen’s, Belfast, and the University of Glasgow. Our unique, jointly awarded research degree in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage provides high-level and sophisticated technical training and skills, alongside much sought after skills in distributed working, collaboration, entrepreneurship and business planning.
Professor Robert Bowman, CDT Director
Career Prospects
Introduction
The CDT programme has been designed and delivered in close consultation with an impressive range of industrial partners. Through placements, internships, annual conclaves, industrial seminars, industrial site visits and project supervision, our students benefit from ongoing opportunities to engage with the Centre’s industrial partners, such as Seagate Technology, IQE, Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, Andor, Fraunhofer (Uk) Ltd.
The programme enables students to develop high-level technical, research, management, entrepreneurship, creativity and collaboration skills. Thus, CDT doctoral students are well equipped to progress to a range of research and development, technical and management roles in industry and academia.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
People teaching you
Professor Robert Bowman
CDT Director
School of Maths and Physics
Learning Outcomes
You will to join a dynamic and diverse multidisciplinary and multisite doctoral programme with opportunities to research the novel scientific and engineering developments in highly manufacturable photonic integration related to the storage of digital information technologies. You will be trained in an interdisciplinary environment encompassing five themes of robust semiconductor lasers, planar lightwave circuits, plasmonic device, advanced characterisation and materials for high-density storage.Course structure
The 4-year doctoral training programme consists of an Orientation & Skills Phase followed by a Research Phase
Facilities
CDT students benefit from access to the state of the art facilities at James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre at the University of Glasgow, the Centre for Nanostructured Media and the Atomistic Simulation Centre at Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Photonic Integration Centre in Cork.
Learning and Teaching
-
-
-
| Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp |
|---|
Entrance requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to this research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a cognate physical sciences or engineering discipline from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Cognate disciplines include physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, chemical engineering.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of Mathematics and Physics.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £4,596 |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £4,596 |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £4,596 |
| EU Other 3 | £23,850 |
| International | £23,850 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. The NI/ROI, GB and Isles fees relate to academic year 2022-23 and will be updated to 2023-24 rates once they have been confirmed. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage costs
Depending on the area of research chosen there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.