Dc 12: Communications And Synchrotron Sources Driven By Spatiotemporal Light Springs

Doctoral Candidate position at INESC MN and Técnico Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

Objectives:

This PhD project explores space-time beams carrying angular momentum—light springs—for applications in optical communication and radiation generation. The objectives are to engineer beams with multidimensional spatiospectral correlations, study their interactions with charged particles and nonlinear (Kerr) materials, and exploit these interactions to realize tunable synchrotron-like radiation sources. Secondments include 3 months at Nireos in Year 2 for validation of high-power light-shaper setups and 6 months at Umeå University (N. Maccaferri) in Year 3 to study ultrafast polariton dynamics. By transforming spatiotemporal light beams into practical tools for communication and radiation technologies, the doctoral candidate contributes to demonstrating high-capacity and tunable light-matter systems across the SPARK research programme.

Starting date: February 2027