Source: https://www.city.ac.uk/about/schools/mathematics-computer-science-engineering/research/research-centre-photonics-instrumentation
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 12:07:05+00:00

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The centre has an established international reputation in the areas of measurement and instrumentation, sensor development, optical systems and photonics.
The centre's work builds on advanced experimental and theoretical developments to meet increasing industrial needs for advanced sensing and measurement and new developments in photonic devices and systems.
Being an internationally-leading ‘flagship’ research centre, recognised for its contribution and impact to these fields and ranging in its scope from basic scientific research to applied research, with an ultimate goal of addressing challenges in science and engineering and environmental processes through innovation in sensing technologies and in photonics systems and devices.
The centre is engaged in a breadth of research activity, covering the areas of sensing, photonics and telecommunications and drawing strength from synergies across these areas. It has particular expertise in novel optical fibre-based sensor design, fabrication and implementation, system measurement and control, waveguide and novel optical device modelling, design and modelling of solar cells with nanostructures, instrumentation and signal processing.
The research activity of the centre builds upon the foundation of research applied to practical and industrial problems in measurement and instrumentation in 1970 by Professor Ludwik Finkelstein FREng and since then the centre has fostered close links with industry, the professional bodies and groups internationally to support its mission.
agri-food and environmental monitoring using both molecular recognition and surface-plasmon-resonance based sensing methods.
In the photonics area, a wide spectrum of research is being undertaken to create new time-domain electro-magnetic and acoustic models for the characterisation of light-matter interactions design and optimise novel guided-wave structures in both optical and THz regimes using finite element methods.
Design optimisation of photonic crystal fibres, silicon photonics, biosensors, plasmonics, nonlinear photonics, and polarisation diversity PIC.
The following are potential research student projects for doctoral candidates joining the PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), whether in buildings, bridges or in other types of structure has become increasingly important as a means to monitor the ‘health’ of the structure, to become aware of internal damage or decay before surface effects show or to schedule maintenance. Conventional methods of monitoring are often inadequate due to the difficulties in either sourcing or incorporating sensors in the structure. This project seeks to develop new types of SHM systems using fibre optic sensors which can be integrated into the structure itself, either when it is made or retrofitted. The project is highly interdisciplinary and bridge between civil and structural engineering, materials science, photonics and optics. The aim is to create, evaluate and optimize sensors and to undertake field testing in association with partners in the UK and internationally. The work is supported by funding from UKIERI through the British Council.
Conventional sensors are often limited in the extent to which they can be used at elevated temperatures due to damage and failure of the device. The temperatures at which many processes in industry operate has been increasing and in certain sectors, such as aerospace, temperatures well over 1000°C are common. Operation in this region calls for a new class of sensors and optical fibre-based techniques can be developed to deal with the measurement of key parameters such as temperature itself, pressure, strain and chemical parameters. This is done through the use of either exotic glass fibres or fibres based on sapphire, for example. The project seeks to design and develop a number of such sensors, to evaluate their characteristics for operation at such high temperatures and to compare performance with conventional devices. The project is supported by the EU Clean Skies funding scheme, linking to several partners in Europe and the UK.
Sensors for a variety of chemical measurements are increasingly needed in industry today and greater reliability and accuracy as well as reduced sensitivity to other measurands, be they physical or chemical is important. Many conventional chemical sensors, such as for toxic gases or environmental pollutants are inadequate to deal with the demands of meeting legislative requirements or long term, in situ operation – many current techniques use sampling techniques which are inherently prone to error. This project seeks to use synthetic chemical techniques to create new coatings which can be bound to optical fibre, to create sensors which can detect a number of toxic heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, especially in soil samples. The aim is for a fibre sensor system that can be distributed over several kilometres in length and monitor these toxic substances whether they are underground or on the surface. The project is supported by the EU through the POLLINS project and is undertaken with partners across Europe who are involved.
Enhanced security, both personal and societal, is an area of increasing focus and an area where it is clear that new techniques are needed for better monitoring. This project focuses on one aspect of such security through the development of sensors for the detection of illicit drugs in society. The work seeks to develop a fibre optic sensor that is reliable and accurate, that can be used in the field and that is capable of providing selective measurement of cocaine, in the presence of a number of ‘cutting agents’ that are widely used. The sensor development will focus on the synthesis or suitable coating using molecular imprinted polymer techniques to provide that selectivity and yet allow for a light weight, rapid response and secure device. The work is supported by the Home Office in the UK.
With the rapid development of silicon CMOS technology for semiconductor industries, there is significant research interests to develop silicon photonics. The large index contrast allows sub-micron size waveguides and very compact bends, and these properties can be exploited to increase functionality, reliability of a photonics chip and also reduce the cost. However, designs of silicon photonic devices are also challenging as modes are fully hybrid and require very fine spatial resolution for their simulations. The Photonics Modelling Group has developed fully-vectorial rigorous numerical methods for photonic devices using computationally efficient finite element method and has already reported designs of silicon-based polarization splitters, polarization rotators, slots waveguides, and bio-sensors. New PhD students are sought to continue work on the development of slot waveguides, high-speed modulators, polarization diversity designs, more efficient solar cells and improved coupler designs in silicon.
The minute nonlinear properties of optical materials are exploited to design exotic photonic devices. The Photonics Modelling Group has developed fully-vectorial rigorous numerical methods for photonic devices using computationally efficient finite element method and has already reported designs of second harmonic generations, high-speed modulators, supercontinuum generations and stimulated Brillion scattering in optical waveguides. New PhD students are sought to extend these works for the development signal generation in mid-infrared and THz frequency regions and development of better distributed SBS sensors.
The development of low-loss optical fibres has contributed towards the revolution of Photonics. Following that earlier invention another major improvement in optical waveguiding has been the concept of photonic crystal fibres (PCF). We have developed accurate computer codes to analyse such complex microstructures and already reported on the designs of PCFs for both optical and THz wave guidance. We have also reported on the enhancement of modal birefringence by introducing asymemtry, reduction of THz modal loss by introducing porous core, introducing defect-core for sensing applications and a novel concept of quasi-crystal for better control of their spot-size and dispersion properties. We would like to have new PhD students to work on the development of new signal sources by tailoring its dispersion properties and novel sensors.
The prime topic of the research is to develop theoretical basis, establish proof of principle and build a technology product demonstrator of a novel instrument sensor for non-invasive measurement of total blood cholesterol based on electrical impedance technique. Using detail numerical FE modelling results, an experimental prototype is to be designed and built to validate and refine the FE models and obtain realistic bio-impedance data by experimental studies. This will then act as a prototype sensor sub-system for a novel instrument for non-invasive measurement of blood cholesterol.
This project involves the development of novel electromagnetic (EM) actuator valves based on magnetic shape memory (MSM) smart alloys. The current state-of-the-art, based on EM solenoid technology is ultimately restricted to less than desired lifetime due to inherent mechanical limitations. For further extension of lifetime (10-15 billion cycles), a novel and a step change in the technological solution is needed. To address this issue, the research focuses on the development of conceptually novel actuator valve based on MSM alloys. This would be a major development in an area of smart materials technology that has enormous potential to be used in a wide technology area where high-speed multibillion-cycle lifetime is needed (e.g. bulk food sorting, aerospace, automobile fuel injection, anaesthetic fluid delivery, etc.).
Instrument transformers are an integral part of power networks for highly accurate and reliable measurement of primary (line) current and voltages. Conventional instrument transformers with traditional current and voltage sensing are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the demands and requirements of modern ‘digital’ power grids, especially smart grids. To address these issues non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT) have been developed in recent years. This research proposes a novel approach for current measurement in NCIT using a sensor concept based on magnetic shape memory (MSM) smart alloys, which change shape under magnetic field.
The aim of this project is to explore the research potential around the ‘internet of things’, looking at the fusion of research, enterprise and learning in this environment.
Brain, M. ORCID: 0000-0003-4216-7151, Schanda, F. and Sun, Y. (2019). Building Better Bit-Blasting for Floating-Point Problems. Paper presented at the International Conference on Tools and Algorithms for the Construction and Analysis of Systems 2019, 6-7 April 2019, Prague, Czech Republic.
Zhang, H., Zhou, L., Lu, L., Chen, J. and Rahman, B. M. ORCID: 0000-0001-6384-0961 (2018). Non-volatile Optical Switch Based on a GST-Loaded Directional Coupler. Paper presented at the 2018 the 3rd Optoelectronics Global Conference (OGC 2018), 4-7 Sep 2018, Shenzhen, China.
Sun, Z. ORCID: 0000-0002-3862-7939, Li, Q. and Bruecker, C. ORCID: 0000-0001-5834-3020 (2018). Short wavelength instability in the vortex ring during impingement onto a solid wall. Paper presented at the 19th International Symposium on Applications of Laser and Imaging Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 16-19 Jul 2018, Lisbon, Portugal.
Sun, S., Kovacevic, A. ORCID: 0000-0002-8732-2242, Bruecker, C. ORCID: 0000-0001-5834-3020, Ghavami, M., Rane, S., Singh, G. and Leto, A. (2018). Experimental Investigation of the Transient Flow in Roots Blower. Paper presented at the 24th International Compressor Engineering Conference, 9 - 12 July 2018, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA.
Sun, Z. ORCID: 0000-0002-3862-7939 (2018). Converged high-speed schlieren for shock wave boundary layer interaction study. Paper presented at the 19th International Symposium on Applications of Laser and Imaging Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 16-19 Jul 2018, Lisbon, Portugal.
Sun, Z. ORCID: 0000-0002-3862-7939, Gan, T. and Wu, Y. (2018). Shock wave boundary layer interaction studied by high-speed schlieren. Paper presented at the 19th International Symposium on Applications of Laser and Imaging Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 16-19 Jul 2018, Lisbon, Portugal.
Gulistan, A., Ghosh, S. ORCID: 0000-0002-1992-2289, Ramachandran, S. and Rahman, B. M. ORCID: 0000-0001-6384-0961 (2018). Enhancing mode stability of higher order modes in a multimode fiber. Paper presented at the Specialty Optical Fibers 2018, 2-5 July 2018, Zurich, Switzerland.
Zhou, L., Zhang, H., Hu, H., Lu, L., Chen, J. and Rahman, B. M. ORCID: 0000-0001-6384-0961 (2018). Miniature Silicon Nanobeam Resonator Tuned by GST Phase Change Material. Paper presented at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Pacific Rim 2018, 29 Jul - 3 Aug 2018, Hong Kong, China.
Sun, Z. ORCID: 0000-0002-3862-7939 and Bruecker, C. ORCID: 0000-0001-5834-3020 (2017). Vortex ring impingement measured by scanning PIV. Paper presented at the 12th International Symposium on Particle Image Velocimetry, 18-22 Jun 2017, Busan, South Korea.
Barbur, J. L., Llapashtica, E., Connolly, D. M., Sadler, J., Sun, T. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2017). The EMAIL test – measurement of integrated saccade latency and visual processing times without eye-tracking. Aerospace medicine and human performance, 88(3), p298.
Llapashtica, E., Sadler, J., Barbur, J. L., Connolly, D. M., Sun, T. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2017). Integrated saccade latency as a measure of fatigue. Aerospace medicine and human performance, 88(3), p298.
Corlho, L., Placidi, M., Atkin, C.J. and Sun, Z. (2016). Experimental Investigation of a Handley Page Triple Slotted Aerofoil. Paper presented at the 2016 Applied Aerodynamics Conference: Evolution & Innovation Continues - The Next 150 Years of Concepts, Design and Operations, 19-21 July 2016, Bristol, UK.
Sun, Z., Bruecker, C. and Pointz, B. (2016). Transition of A Vortex Ring Visualized by 3D Scanning TomoPIV. Paper presented at the 18th International Symposium on Applications of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 4-7 Jul 2016, Lisbon, Portugal.
Sun, Z., Pointz, B. and Bruecker, C. ORCID: 0000-0001-5834-3020 (2016). Transition of a vortex ring measured by 3D scanning Tomo-PIV. Paper presented at the 18th International Symposium on Applications of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 4-7 Jul 2016, Lisbon, Portugal.
Bai, Y., Shi, S., Fabian, M., Sun, T., Grattan, K. T. V., McKinnon, B., Gupta, A. and McCague, C. (2016). Potential of Microwave Curing for Precast Concrete Manufacture. Institute of Concrete Technology Yearbook, pp. 61-66.
Wang, Y., Sun, T., Fabian, M., Grattan, K. T. V., Forman, T. and Mutschler, R. (2016). Development of Optical Fibre Humidity Sensors for Assessing the Quality of Housing Insulation Materials. Paper presented at the 2016 15th International Conference on Optical Communications and Networks (ICOCN), 24-27 Sep 2016, Hangzhou, China.
Sun, T., Wren, S., Nguyen, H. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2015). A suite of optical fibre-based chemical sensors for environmental monitoring. Paper presented at the 2015 14th International Conference on Optical Communications and Networks (ICOCN), 3-5 Jul 2015, Nanjing, China.
Grattan, K. T. V., Jia, Y., Gutfreund, E., Savvides, S., Shi, S., Bai, Y., Fabian, M., Sun, T. and McCague, C. (2015). Densification of Fresh Concrete by Microwave. Paper presented at the 35th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, 26-28 Aug 2015, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Thotath, B., Nguyen, T.H., Zhang, W. H., Baxter, G., Sun, T., Collins, S. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2015). Intrinsic determination of pH using a barycentre algorithm to characterise fluorescence from an optical fibre sensor. Paper presented at the Australian and New Zealand Conference on Optics and Photonics 2015 (ANZCOP 2015), 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2015, Adelaide, Australia.
Ams, M., Pal, A., Williams, R.J., Sen, R., Withford, M.J., Sun, T. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2014). Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors for Radiation Insensitive Measurements. Paper presented at the OECC/ACOFT 2014, 06-07-2014 - 10-07-2014, Melbourne, Australia.
Bai, Y., Khoylou, A., Debs, M., Shi, S., Fabian, M., Sun, T., Grattan, K. T. V. and McKinnon, B. (2014). Dielectric Properties and Numerical Modelling of Microwave Heating of Portland Cement/Fly Ash Blends. Paper presented at the 34th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, 14-16 Sep 2014, Sheffield, UK.
Bai, Y., Shi, S., Fabian, M., Arms, M, Sun, T, Grattan, K. T. V., Li, H., Xu, D.L. and Basheer, P.A.M. (2014). Microwave Curing Techniques for Manufacturing Alkali-activated Fly Ash. Paper presented at the 34th Annual Cement and Concrete Science Conference, 14-16 Sep 2014, Sheffield, UK.
McCague, C., Fabian, M., Sun, T., Grattan, K. T. V., Shi, S. and Bai, Y. (2014). Application of fibre Bragg gratings for the optimization of microwave-cured concrete. Paper presented at the 5th Symposium on Environmental Instrumentation and Measurements, 23-24 Sep 2014, Chemnitz, Germany.
Oates, A., Cabrera-Espana, F., Agrawal, A. and Reehal, H. S. (2014). Fabrication and characterisation of Si micropillar PV structures. Energy Materials, 9(4), pp. 500-504.
Sun, Z., Longmire, E. K. and Krizan, D. (2014). Interactions of copepods with fractal-grid generated turbulence based on Tomo-PIV and 3D-PTV. Paper presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, 23-11-2014 - 25-11-2014, San Francisco, USA.
Ul Asad, H., Jones, K. and Surre, F. (2014). Verifying robust frequency domain properties of non linear oscillators using SMT. Paper presented at the 17th Symposium on Design & Diagnostics of Electronic Circuits & Systems, 23rd - 25th April 2014, Warsaw, Poland.
Pal, A., Dhar, A., Sen, R., Ams, M., Sun, T. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2013). Radiation resistant optical fiber for FBG based sensing. Paper presented at the 2013 Workshop on recent Advances in Photonics (WRAP), 17-12-2013 - 18-12-2013, New Delhi, India.
Sun, Z., Schrijer, F. F. J., Scarano, F. and van Oudheusden, B. W. (2012). PIV investigation of the 3D instantaneous flow organization behind a micro-ramp in a supersonic boundary layer. Paper presented at the 28th International Symposium on Shock Waves, 17-07-2011 - 22-07-2011, Manchester, UK.
Themistos, C., Kalli, K., Komodromos, M., Rahman, B. M. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2012). Low-loss multimode interference couplers for terahertz waves. Paper presented at the Conference on Microstructured and Specialty Optical Fibres, 17-04-2012 - 19-04-2012, Brussels, Belgium.
Themistos, C., Rajarajan, M., Rahman, B. M. and Grattan, K. T. V. (2009). Characterization of Silica Nanowires for Optical Sensing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 27(24), pp. 5537-5542.
Professor Tong Sun awarded Research Chair from the Royal Academy of Engineering and Faiveley Bracknell Willis.

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