MSc by Research: 1 year full time or 2 years part time.
PhD by Research: 3 years full time or 6 years part time.
Supervisor: Dr Michael Hughes
This project area can be made suitable for a 1-year MSc in Physics or 3-year PhD in physics. The project does not currently have funding directly attached, students must be able to fund the fees and their living costs by applying for a suitable scholarship, see https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate, or through some another source of funds. Current information on fees is available here.
Needle microscopes allow real-time microscopy images to be obtained from deep inside tissue with the invasiveness of taking a physical biopsy. For many applications there is a desire to make these needle microscopes as thin as possible, stretching the limits of current imaging technologies. In this project, the student will work on techniques for turning thin fibres into image conduits, building on a recently funded EPSRC project. This will contribute towards development of imaging needles only a few hundred microns in diameter.
The student will gain hands-on experience in the optics lab, working with a range of devices including spatial light modulators. They will also be required to develop software for image acquisition and processing. The exact requirements of the project will be tailored depending on the interests and skills of the student.
Completion of research will lead to submission of a thesis for examination for award of the MSc or PhD degree. There are no written examinations, but AOG members deliver lectures in areas of biomedical optics and medical physics which MSc/PhD students may attend, in addition to a programme of seminars by internal and external speakers.
There is no deadline for the project – applicants will be assessed on a rolling basis – although please note any separate deadlines for scholarships or funding. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Mike Hughes (m.r.hughes@kent.ac.uk) for informal discussions before applying.
About the Applied Optics Group
The Applied Optics Group (AOG) is an internationally-recognised research group comprising five academic staff alongside a friendly and vibrant community of postdoctoral and postgraduate students. The group develops innovative optical imaging and sensing technologies with applications across healthcare and industry.
Housed within the Photonics Centre, the AOG benefits from facilities including 10 dedicated optical laboratories, a clean-air room, workshop and extensive resources for the design and prototyping of optical systems and devices. The group works closely with clinical and industrial partners to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications, and has attracted multi-million-pound investment from UK and European funding bodies in recent years.
The AOG is part of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus. Set within 300 acres of parkland overlooking the historic city of Canterbury, just a short walk or bus ride away, the campus offers an inspiring environment for study and research. Students benefit from excellent social and sporting amenities, and a welcoming international community, all within easy reach of London and the Kent coastline.
More Information
MSc/PhD Study in the Applied Optics Group
PyFibreBundle Python Package for Fibre Bundle Imaging