Lanthanide coordination complexes as single-photon emitters for quantum photonics

About the project

This PhD project involves coordination chemistry to design new brightly luminescent lanthanide (rare-earth) complexes, with a focus on near-infrared emitters. By using molecular synthetic inorganic chemistry, we will apply these compounds as single-photon emitters and test their ability to be used in quantum photonics, such as quantum memories.

The ability to generate single photons on-demand is a crucial aspect of quantum photonics, with applications in memories, computing, and cryptography. Unlike other candidates such as quantum dots and organic dyes, using lanthanide complexes offers the unique opportunity to produce single-photon emitters which can be tailored at the single-ion level using molecular coordination chemistry.

This project will utilise synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry to develop new ultra-efficient emitters to be integrated into novel devices, with a focus on near-infrared emitting ions (e.g. Yb, Nd, Er) which offer excellent potential for combination with mature telecoms technology such fibre optics or silicon nitride waveguides.

You will acquire proficiency in synthetic organic, coordination chemistry, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.

You will have full access to a suite of techniques via state-of-the-art facilities including Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy facility , IR, HPLC and Mass-Spectrometry , in addition to world-leading X-ray diffraction facilities .

You will also participate in group meetings, school seminars and represent the group at national/international conferences. This will give you the opportunity to disseminate your research results with world-leaders in the area.

The University of Southampton will give professional training via the Quantum Technologies DTP programme and transferable skills through the PGR Development Hub which provides a suite of training courses and support services which promotes well-being and employability.

Dr Richard Knighton MChem DPhil FHEA

• Inorganic luminescence
• Homogeneous catalysis
• Upconversion spectroscopy

Dr Patrick Ledingham PhD

• Quantum light-matter interactions
• Alkali vapour quantum memories
• Rare-earth-ion quantum memories

Entry requirements

You must have an undergraduate degree (at least UK 2:1 honours degree) or its international equivalent .

Fees and funding

For candidates looking to complete a PhD or EngD full-time we offer an enhanced tax-free stipend of up to £30,000 per year, along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities.

CISDnS is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance.

We are pleased to announce that for 2027/28 entry, specific Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) at the University of Southampton have been selected to be part of a pilot programme of funding for UK doctoral candidates launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Now managed by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), the funding is delivered through a strand of government’s new TechFirst skills programme. TechFirst will fund nationally, a stipend uplift for at least 500 domestic (UK only) doctoral students in priority technology areas over the next four years, strengthening the UK’s innovation pipeline and building a more inclusive, resilient and high-impact research ecosystem.

How to apply

Apply now

Please apply via the online portal and select:

Applications should include:

• Academic year: 2027/28
• If you will be full time or part time
• Faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Search for "complex integrated systems"
• Select either PhD or EngD – if you are unsure, select PhD
• Add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.
• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

For questions about applying, email our Doctoral College (doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk) .

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Dr Richard Knighton (R.C.Knighton@soton.ac.uk).

Research areas