Job details Print page

One of the main problems with augmented reality (AR: Augmented Reality) technologies is that achieving satisfactory clarity and quality simultaneously: the image of the outside world and the additional information displayed against it requires a compromise.
Current solutions on the market are mainly based on fiber optic technology. Eyeglasses are specially designed flat optical waveguides that transport light carrying information to the eye and combine it with light coming from the environment. However, both diffractive waveguides (e.g., Hololens) and reflective waveguides (e.g., Lumus Z-lens) affect the course of light from the environment, ultimately resulting in a dimmed and/or distorted image. These problems are exacerbated when the waveguide structure has to accommodate different display colours.
This project aims to verify the potential of implementation of the concept of a retinal display using two-photon vision for the projection of AR content. This is a recently discovered vision mechanism that extends the range of perceived radiation into the near-infrared (850-1300 nm).
Two-photon vision is based on a nonlinear optical process - two-photon absorption occurring in visual pigments. Laser beams that we see due to this process have a color close to half their wavelength: for 950 nm - blue, for 1000 nm - green, and for 1200 nm - red. Due to differences in the wavelengths of ambient light and the AR stimulus, it may be easier to combine the two optical paths in glasses. The nonlinear nature of the phenomenon means that it occurs efficiently only at the retinal focus of the beam, so duplicate reflections, as well as scattered light, are not perceived. Thus, the two-photon stimuli may have better contrast. These hypotheses will be verified by building a prototype AR glasses with two-photon vision and conducting psychophysical tests using it.

Doktorant/ PhD student position tasks:
· participating in the design and 3-D printing of the eyeglass frames
· conducting psychophysical tests using the prototype
· analysis of the test results
· participation in creating software (depending on skills)
· presentation of results and their dissemination

We offer: - a Doktorant/ PhD student position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary of Around 9.900 PLN gross per month financed from the The Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union from the funds of Priority 2 of the European Funds for a Modern Economy Program 2021–2027 (FENG) Action 2.7 Proof of Concept. 100% of the work time of a Doktorant/ PhD student position will be devoted to the realization of the proposed project. The offer is for 3 months with a possible extension to 12 months - the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary, international research team; - cooperation with industrial partners.

The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility competition.
Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programme.
The selected candidate will be part of a highly experienced, multidisciplinary team. He/she will have the opportunity to expand his/her knowledge and confront new tasks resulting in new technical solutions and applications.

· a graduate degree in optometry, optics, physical optics, biomedical engineering or similar
· status as a doctoral student of a doctoral school
· practical experience in vision testing/psychophysical experiments for vision sciences
· basic knowledge of statistical data analysis
· English language skills at B2 level
will be an added advantage:
· qualification as a diploma optometrist/optometrist
· knowledge of psychophysical methods for vision testing,
· ability to design with CAM/CAD tools
· programming skills (LabVIEW, Matlab, Python)

The committee will consider the following criteria:
• Competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project - described under Tasks and responsibilities in the project
• Previous scientific achievements (publication output, Hirsh index, etc.).
• The candidate's participation in research projects