PhD Studentship Available to start September 2015

Synthetic aperture interferometry: High-resolution optical measurement over an exceptionally large field of view

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence at Loughborough University in partnership with Herriot Watt University, Epigem, Taylor Hobson Ltd., Scitek Consultants Ltd.; the National Physical Laboratory and the Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd. offers excellent conditions for PhD training. A formal partnership allows ambitious and capable individuals to be selected for PhD studentships on advanced topics at the cutting edge of science and engineering.

With the current global market for machine vision systems estimated to be worth $3.1bn it has been suggested that modern manufacturing industry should invest 1-2% of turnover in quality control. As high-value manufacturing reshapes the UK economy there is an increasing need for inspection and measurement systems that are capable of verifying large, expensive parts with strict tolerances. Good examples include the reel-to-reel production of thin film photovoltaic (PVs) structures, the verification of aerospace parts such as turbine blades, and the measurement of aspheric or freeform optical surfaces. Here, 100% inspection might require detection and measurement of sub-micron sized defects on components measuring several hundred millimetres or more. No instrumentation currently offers the dynamic range and throughput required for these tasks.

The overall aim of this project is to demonstrate novel optical instrumentation for high-resolution inspection and precision measurement of large engineered parts. In order to achieve these aims we will build an array of fibre-optic sources and phase-locked coherent imaging systems to synthesise a large numerical aperture. Additionally, we intend to develop efficient methods to process the recorded information; first to identify regions of interest within the field of view and subsequently to measure imperfections with high-resolution.

The successful candidate will investigate coherent phase-locking methodologies (to enable aperture synthesis from the combination of multiple sensors, reference beams and illumination directions) and their relative performance for high-resolution, large-field surface profilometry.

This Centre offers an attractive package, including a tax free stipend of up to £17k pa (equivalent £24k tax free), in addition to full University PhD registration fees for UK and EU candidates. Overseas applicants are expected to finance the residual annual PhD fees which are in excess of the home student fees. Additionally, there is a generous personal development budget of £10,000 for the specific training needs of the successful candidate. The Centre offers a unique 4-year Ph.D. programme, drawing on expertise in postgraduate teaching and research supervision in the fields of sensors, system design, embedded software and systems, manufacturing systems, novel manufacturing processing, applications engineering and systems services. The PhD candidate will be supported by the state-of-the-art facilities at Loughborough University and co-sponsoring companies.

Further information can be obtained from Dr Pablo Ruiz, e-mail: P.D.Ruiz<στο>lboro.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is 31^st May 2015.

Please quote Ref No.:2015CDTEIMM3 on your application. Apply herehttp://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/