As an intern, you will be responsible for setting up and performing optical measurements to assess how effectively multiple simultaneous laser beams can improve link quality in the presence of atmospheric turbulence. The experiments will combine fiber optics and free-space propagation to simulate realistic conditions and analyze how spatial diversity helps prevent deep signal fades—instances where turbulence causes the signal from a single beam to drop below detection thresholds. The use of coherent modulation formats like QPSK adds complexity, requiring careful management of interference effects while maintaining phase coherence across beams. This work serves as a critical proof-of-concept to evaluate the practical benefits of spatial diversity in optical links.You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team within the Optics department at TNO, working closely with colleagues working on laser communication projects. The team brings together expertise in optics, photonics, telecommunications, and electronics, creating a collaborative environment for a systematic approach to tackle complex challenges. The insights gained during this phase will help guide the development of compact, scalable solutions for next-generation wireless communication systems.
