Optical PLL Research Intern

As an Optical PLL Research Intern, you will lay the groundwork for an integrated optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) that locks an external laser for coherent reception in next-generation wireless optical links. This is a long-term project spanning lab and simulation, ideally a year or more. It could also anchor a thesis or a longer-term collaboration.

What such a loop can achieve is bounded by real components. You will evaluate lasers, modulators, and analog electronics, build benchtop experiments around them, and work toward a stable closed loop. In parallel, you will extend our simulation and use the two to check each other.

There is genuine room to shape the direction. Survey what is available, design your own experiments, and follow the evidence to the strongest design.

• Component Evaluation: Screen commercial lasers, modulators, and photodetectors. Measure what vendors do not publish.
• Loop Design: Design the loops that track carrier phase and frequency, and validate them against control theory.