PhD: Pioneering Brillouin Spectroscopy Technologies for Biomedical Applications
With Hubert Jean-Ruel
The Position
Photonics research, primarily experimental with simulations and theory.
Cellular and tissue mechanics are crucial in conditions like osteoarthritis and systemic fibrosis, where new diagnostic approaches are strongly needed. Brillouin spectroscopy stands out as a powerful technique, using photons to probe biomechanics in a contactless, label-free manner with micrometer resolution. Despite its immense potential for medical research and diagnostics, technical challenges, such as high spectral resolution and contrast requirements, make existing instruments costly, complex, and limited, restricting bio-Brillouin to specialized photonics labs.
Your PhD project will focus on developing novel Brillouin spectroscopy and imaging systems to overcome these barriers. Departing from conventional approaches in the field, you will investigate underexplored technological pathways, including fiber Bragg gratings and diffraction gratings.
Specifically, you will design an advanced imaging Brillouin system for research, and then leverage it to explore diagnostic applications in collaboration with a medical partner and guide the development of a portable, fiber-based version for future field deployment.
Through this project, you will master a wide range of photonics concepts, guided and free-space optics simulations, advanced fiber grating fabrication, and practical optical engineering skills, while thriving in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment.
How to Apply
If you are excited about driving technological breakthroughs to deepen scientific knowledge and improve society, consider joining the Advanced Photonics Components Laboratory. Please contact hubert.jeanruel@cunet.carleton.ca.