.

Dr Sonia Boscolo

Lecturer

Sonia Boscolo

Email
s.a.boscolo@aston.ac.uk

Telephone
+44 (0)121 204 3495

Room number
N318

Profile
I studied at the University of Burgundy, Dijon, France where I was awarded the BA and MA degrees in Physics in 1998. I joined the Photonics Research Group at Aston University in 1999, and I received a PhD degree for studies on optical solitons and nonlinear solitary waves in 2002.

Since 2002, I have been working with the Photonics Research Group; first as a Research Fellow and later as a Lecturer.

Thus far my main research focus has been in the field of nonlinear optics and, more specifically, on the exploration of fundamental mathematical theories of modern nonlinear science and their application in the context of fibre-optic communications and laser systems, as well as on the design and modelling of novel nonlinear photonic systems and devices.

I teach Computing and Programming and Digital Transmission at both undergraduate and MSc levels.

I have published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals and refereed international conference proceedings, and produced 3 technological patents. I have been awarded several research grants from various funding bodies.

Qualifications & education

  • BA and MA with First Class Honours in Physics, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France, 1998
  • PhD in Engineering and Applied Science (“Mathematical and numerical modelling of dispersion-managed solitons, autosolitons and self-similar optical pulses”), Aston University, 2002
Employment
  • 2009 – present: Lecturer in Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University.
  • 2007 – 2009: Senior Research Fellow, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University.
  • 2002 – 2007: Research Fellow, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University.
Teaching activity
  • EE1CEE: Computing for Electronic Engineering
  • EE3DTR/EE401B: Digital Transmission
  • C Programming on MEng Electronic Engineering & Computer Science
  • Supervision of MSc and Individual Final Year projects
Research interests

My areas of interest include:

  • Nonlinear wave theory
  • Dissipative solitons
  • Soliton-based technologies for fibre-optics communications
  • Advanced all-optical signal processing techniques for high-bit-rate optical communication systems
  • All-optical regeneration in fibre transmission systems
  • Nonlinear optical pulse shaping and signal manipulation in fibres and waveguides
  • Pulse dynamics in high-power fibre lasers
Recent research funding

Principal Investigator/British Project Leader in the projects:

  • “Nonlinear waveguide-based all-optical waveform generators”
    Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant (Ref: RPG-278, £221,415, 2012-2015)
    Research Assistant employed: Dr Mykhaylo Dubov
    PhD position available
  • “Nonlinear pulse transformations in fibre optics”
    British Council Collaborative Research Grant – Alliance: Franco-British Research Partnership Programme (Ref: 10.002, £4,400, 2010-2011) - French Project Leader: Prof Christophe Finot, University of Burgundy, Dijon
  • “Modelling of carbon nanotube based nonlinear saturable  absorbers for all-optical processing applications” British Council Collaborative Research Grant – British-Italian Partnership Programme for Early Career Researchers (Ref: PP10/15, £3,000, 2010) - Italian Project Leader: Dr Andrea Modotto, University of Brescia
  • “Dissipative nonlinear structures for digital photonic technologies”
    EPSRC Research Grant (Ref: EP/F02956X/1, £374,952, 2008-2011)
    Research Assistant employed: Dr Brandon Bale
  • “Dissipative localized nonlinear optical structures”
    Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship (Ref: ECF/2005/0400, £40,383, 2005-2007)

Travel grants

  • Royal Society Conference Grant (2005)
  • Royal Society Conference Grant (2004)
  • Royal Academy of Engineering Travel Grant (2004)
PhD Supervision
  • Currently looking for a PhD Student to work on the three-year Leverhulme Trust funded project “Nonlinear waveguide-based all-optical waveform generators”http://www1.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/prospective-research-students/studentships/nonlinear-waveguide-based-all-optical-waveform-generators/
  • Mentor for a PhD project (2005-2009)
    Terence Broderick – Statistical analysis and optimisation of nonlinear fibre communication channels
I am available to supervise new suitable applicants in the areas of nonlinear optical signal processing, pulse shaping and fibre lasers.

Publications

Please click here to see a full list of my publications.

External responsibilities

  • Technical Programme Committee Member on the Subcommittee: Modelling, Analysis and Computational Techniques in Nonlinear Photonics of the Nonlinear Photonics (NP) meeting (June 2012, Colorado Springs, United States)
    http://www.osa.org/meetings/topical_meetings/np/default.aspx
     
  • Lead Guest Editor for the Special Issue: Nonlinear Fibre-Based Photonic Technologies in the International Journal of Optics
    http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijo/psi
     
  • Organiser of the Mini-Symposium: Localized Nonlinear Structures: Mathematical Challenges and Practical Applications in the SIAM Conference on Nonlinear Waves and Coherent Structures (July 2008, Rome, Italy)
  • Referee for: Optics Letters, Optics Express, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE Journal of Lightwave Technology, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Journal of the Optical Society of America B, Optics Communications, Physical Review E, Physical Review A, International Journal of Optics, Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Optical Fiber Technology

External engagement

My current international collaborations include: