PhD (m/f/x) for developing high-power, high-repetition-rate terahertz (THz) sources based on optical (Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (100%) 01.10.2026, we are looking for a

PhD (m/f/x) for developing high-power, high-repetition-rate terahertz (THz) sources based on optical rectification in lithium niobate (LiNbO₃)

Our scientific mission is to advance ultrafast laser technology, explore new areas of coherent light generation, and apply our uniquely tailored ultrafast sources to better understand chemical, biological, and physical processes.

Optical rectification of femtosecond pulses in lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) with tilted-pulse-front (TPF) velocity matching is the workhorse for generating intense, single-cycle THz transients. Historically these sources have been driven by low-repetition-rate amplifiers (~1 kHz), delivering high pulse energy but modest average power and slow data acquisition. This project targets a new regime: high-repetition-rate (100 kHz–MHz), Yb-based pumping to maximize average THz power, signal-to-noise, and measurement speed, However this new regime come with it set of challenges.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 years
Start: 01.10.2026
Apply by: 2026-08-18

Your tasks:

- Developing a high-repition-rate high power THz sources based on optica rectification in LiNbO₃ with tilted-pulse-front phase matching exploring different geometries and solutions
- Presenting project results at national and international conferences
- Assisting students in modeling laser systems
- Implementation of experimental setups

Your profile:

- MSc in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with THz-TDS systems
- Hands-on experience building and aligning tilted-pulse-front (TPF) setups for THz generation by optical rectification in LiNbO₃
- Experience with electro-optic sampling or equivalent coherent THz detection
- Proficiency aligning complex free-space optical setups
- Good English (spoken and written)

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/0f53f64b7ba2bb4bc1c8f3668093ed6b5b8030b30?ref=AfA (https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/0f53f64b7ba2bb4bc1c8f3668093ed6b5b8030b30?ref=AfA)