Master's thesis: Compact Laser Stabilization System

Background
RISE hosts the Sweden’s National Metrology Institute (NMI), responsible for maintaining and developing the national measurement standards that underpin science, industry, and society. As part of the frequency metrology activities, the NMI develops and characterizes optical and microwave frequency standards, frequency combs, and ultra-stable laser systems used for traceable calibration and advanced measurement services.

Description
High-performance lasers are central to many advanced technologies, precision spectroscopy, frequency metrology, atomic clocks, quantum sensing and optical communications. To reach the frequency stability required for high-precision applications, lasers are typically locked to optical resonators. However, conventional cavity-stabilized systems rely on vacuum chambers and elaborate vibration isolation, which makes them bulky and sensitive to environmental disturbances.

Recent advances show that both single-frequency lasers and optical frequency combs can be stabilized using compact, all-fiber ring resonators housed in palm-sized, vibration-insensitive modules that operate without vacuum systems.

Responsibilities
In this master’s thesis, you will design and implement a laser stabilization system inspired by this state-of-the-art concept, adapted to RISE’s facilities, with the goal of creating a compact, robust, and high-performance vacuum-free stabilization module for CW lasers or frequency combs.

Objectives & Tasks

• Study recent literature on compact laser-stabilization architectures, especially all-fiber delay-line systems.

• Model noise sources, vibration sensitivity, and thermal effects.

• Design a fiber-based reference resonator and propose mechanical packaging for vibration robustness.

• Build a measurement setup for phase-noise and frequency-noise characterization of the stabilized laser.

• Use FPGA-based hardware for real-time signal acquisition and spectral analysis, enabling dynamic monitoring of stability and noise performance.

Expected Qualifications / Skills
We are looking for a master's student in Engineering Physics, Applied Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or a similar field.

The ideal candidate has experience or coursework in some of the following areas:

• Lasers and optical resonators

• Fiber optics and interferometry

• Control systems and feedback electronics

• Signal processing or FPGA programming (e.g., VHDL/Verilog, LabVIEW FPGA, or HDL Coder)

• Noise analysis and measurement instrumentation

A practical mindset and interest in both optics and electronics are strong assets.

What You will Gain

• Hands-on experience with laser stabilization, fiber optics, control systems, and precision metrology.

• The chance to build a compact, robust module suitable for real world application.

• Potential for results publishable in optics / photonics conference.

• Collaboration within RISE and possibly with academia or industry partners.

Terms
Organization: RISE — Division Matteknik (Dimension and Position)

Location: Borås

Start: [e.g. Jan 2026 or negotiable]

Duration: TBD

Contact / Supervisors: [Dr. Israel Rebolledo, israel.rebolledo@ri.se and Dr. Martin Zelan, martin.zelan@ri.se]

Compensation: 1,000 SEK per credit after project completion and approval, if more than one student - 1,333 SEK per credit after project completion and approval, if one student.

Last day of application: 22 February. Selection and interviews may be conducted on an ongoing basis during the application period

Welcome with your application!