Light propagating through optical fibers always leaks to the edge of the cladding in principle, although this leakage can be made negligible by proper design. This leakage is often significant in new types of optical fibers called photonic crystal fibers and has significant practical as well as theoretical implications for the behavior of these waveguides. This is a simluation shows light propagation in a W-type waveguide. Light is injected into the W-type waveguide at z = 0. The black dash-dotted lines and black dashed lines indicate x = ±a and x = ±b, respectively. The movie shows the real part of the electric field.

Research Faculty Position Available

The Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking candidates for a Research Faculty position in the area of Computational Photonics. The appointment will be made at the level of an Assistant Research Scientist or Assistant Research Professor (or in exceptional cases at the Research Associate level) as commensurate with experience.

The successful candidate will develop and validate computational models of opto-electronic oscillators, short-pulse, modelocked lasers, and possibly photonics crystal fibers. The research will involve close collaboration with experimentalists. More information about research in Computational Photonics at UMBC can be found at http://www.photonics.umbc.edu/. An appointment at the level of Assistant Research Professor would require the ability to engage in instructional activity in either or both the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department and the Mathematics and Statistics Department. Such an appointment would have to be approved by the appropriate department(s).

This position is available immediately. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for additional years. A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, or Electrical Engineering is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in computational methods for solving partial and ordinary differential equations, a strong background in physics and mathematics, and a strong interest in mentoring PhD students. Experience in the modeling of optical systems is useful but not required.

Interested applicants should email a CV and the names and contact information of three professional references to both Curtis Menyuk (menyuk@umbc.edu) and John Zweck (zweck@umbc.edu). For best consideration, applications should be received by June 1st, 2011. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.