This experimental and practice-based PhD brings together Physics and Art & Design in the UoD for the first time to develop the power and efficiency of solar lasers and explore applications within wearable technologies.
Since their first demonstration in 1962, solar-powered lasers have attracted interest as a tool for generating and distributing renewable energy both for ground based and space based applications [1]. However, despite several decades of research, solar-powered lasers have yet to reach the levels of efficiency or output beam quality that would make these applications feasible. One key requirement for efficient solar lasers is high solar concentration [2]. This requires the design and manufacture of complex reflectors and light guides such as compound parabolic concentrators and trough concentrators.
In this experimental and practice-based PhD the student will develop solar semiconductor lasers, and solid-state lasers based on Neodynium doped crystals coupled with wavelength converters, to increase the power and efficiency of solar lasers to an exploitable power level. They will achieve this through experimenting with a variety of materials and forms more commonly used in jewellery to make small sunlight concentrators. Utilising techniques such as metal casting, 3d-printing, acrylic and glass moulding, along with polishing and metallic coating through electroplating, evaporation or sputtering for the manufacture of these concentrators is crucial, and will be a focus of this PhD. The PhD will also simultaneously explore these enhanced sunlight concentrators and colour convertors as creative objects in jewellery, including their application within smart wearable technologies [3] which might also incorporate fibre optics, light emitters and photovoltaics.
It is hoped that this PhD will form a bridge between the two disciplines, forming fresh thinking and new approaches in both, enhancing communication and provide a foundation for future collaboration.