Job offer

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Une opportunité de doctorat en physique, offrant une formation de recherche au sein d'une institution reconnue en ingénierie. Le candidat se penchera sur les techniques de localisation optique dans des environnements complexes, devant démontrer une forte capacité en expérience pratique et en modélisation. Ce poste est adapté aux passionnés de recherche, avec une solide formation en optique et programmation.

Qualifications

• Formation en optique/photonique à niveau Master 2 ou équivalent.
• Bonne connaissance des langues de programmation pour le calcul scientifique, surtout Python.
• Intérêt fort pour la recherche expérimentale et simulation physique.

Responsabilités

• Modélisation de la performance des micro-ORRs pour leur identification.
• Étude de méthodes d'identification des signatures optiques en environnement complexe.

Connaissances

Optique/Photonique

Commandes de la programmation scientifique

Formation

Master 2 en optique/photonique

Outils

Python

Description du poste

Organisation/Company IMT Atlantique Department Doctoral division Research Field Physics » Optics Engineering » Electrical engineering Technology » Optronics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 15 Jul 2025 - 23:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Academic environment

IMT Atlantique, internationally recognised for the quality of its research, is a leading general engineering school under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology, ranked in the three main international rankings (THE, SHANGHAI, QS). Located on three campuses, Brest, Nantes and Rennes, IMT Atlantique aims to combine digital technology and energy to transform society and industry through training, research and innovation. It aims to be the leading French higher education and research institution in this field on an international scale. With 290 researchers and permanent lecturers, 1000 publications and 18 M€ of contracts, it supervises 2300 students each year and its training courses are based on cutting-edge research carried out within 6 joint research units: GEPEA, IRISA, LATIM, Lab-STICC, LS2N and SUBATECH.
The proposed thesis is part of the research activities of the Optics department of the ASMP team of the Lab-STICC laboratory (UMR CNR2 6285). The department's scientific activities focus on optics and photonics for information processing, vision and intelligent sensors.

State of the art - issue

The real-time localisation of an object in a three-dimensional scene is an essential function in industrial robotics or navigated surgery [1]. Optical techniques are well suited to constrained environments, providing high spatial resolution without generating electromagnetic pollution for surrounding electronic devices.
There are two main approaches to optical localisation: (i) imaging of specific markers positioned on the object to be located using vision cameras that capture the scene from different viewpoints, and (ii) triangulation/lateration, which exploits the rays reflected by the object from a laser scan of the scene. For this method, the key component is the optical retroreflector (ORR), which sends the reflected beam back in the same direction as the incident beam, unlike a plane mirror. Technologically, an ORR can be constructed by assembling three orthogonal mirrors in pairs (fig. 1) or by cutting a corner cube (CCR) from a dielectric material (fig. 2), giving threefold total internal reflection.

This type of component is used to optimise the light reflection of road signs or reflective strips. Although laser localisation has been demonstrated with centimetre-sized ORRs [2,3], the transition to sub-millimetre-sized components (micro-ORRs) poses a twofold problem: (i) the choice of a suitable method for manufacturing the component and (ii) the degradation of its retro-reflective properties, due to the diffraction of light [4], which blurs the angular selectivity of the ORR (fig. 3).

Expected contributions

Fine modelling of the performance of micro-RROs has rarely been addressed in the literature, because the ‘ray’ description of geometrical optics is no longer valid here. We therefore need to study in depth the evolution of the wavefront inside the ORR and its deformation during propagation towards the processing sensor, in order to correct it more effectively at a later stage [5].

The second objective of this thesis is to study a method for identifying the optical signatures of micro-ORRs, making it possible to locate them in the complex landscape of reflected signals. In particular, the possibilities offered by spatial multiplexing of components, combined with wavelength multiplexing of interrogation signals, will be explored.

References

[1] SM. Shah, ‘‘25 years of computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty’’ Arthroplasty. 3(1) (2021)
[2] V. Milanovic and A. Kasturi, "Real-Time 3D Tracking", Wiley-VCH, Optik & Photonik, pp. 55-59, vol. 4 (2013).
[3] S. Malak et al “Optical Localization and Tracking Method of a Mobile Micro-Conveyor Over a Smart Surface,” IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 21(8), pp. 10618-10627. (2021).
[4] T. W. Murphy Jr and S. D. Goodrow, "Polarization and far-field diffraction patterns of total internal reflection corner cubes", Appl. Optics, vol. 52, n° 2, pp 117-126 (2013)
[5] B. Kress and M. Pace, « Holographic optics in planar optical systems for next generation small form factor mixed reality headsets », Journal of Advanced Manufacturing, vol. 3, n° 4 (2022)

Application

To apply for this position, please send a detailed application including a covering letter, up-to-date CV, transcripts and letters of reference to the following address : [e-mail]

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Optics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Education in optics/photonics at Master 2 level or third year of Engineering School. Profiles in physics or engineering sciences may also be considered.
• Essential knowledge: a good command of optics/photonics, but also of physics in general, as well as a good knowledge of programming languages for scientific computing (Python in particular).
• Candidates with a strong interest in experimental research (optics experiments, physics simulation, clean-room technology), who demonstrate creativity and tenacity, are particularly sought after.
• Given the multicultural working environment, fluency in English is required (written and spoken, B2 level) and a good knowledge of French is desirable.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Internal Application form(s) needed

Design and fabrication of micro-optics with a retro-reflective signature for the localisation and 3D identification of moving objects.pdf