Resonators Scholarship Programme

Internship Host:

Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław)

Projects description:

In our research group u.MIR (Ultrastable and ultrafast mid-IR laser sources), we explore the electromagnetic field of ultrashort laser pulses. We build lasers that generate light pulses with durations of less than 10 femtoseconds (10 fs = 10⋅10^−15 s) and develop electronic systems to actively stabilize their parameters. We use these unique lasers in nonlinear optics experiments, which enable the modification of light properties and the generation of radiation in the mid-infrared spectral range (wavelengths from 2 µm to 20 µm).

Depending on your interests, we offer two internship topics: both involve challenging experimental works:

1. Visible Pr:YLF laser: Construction of a laser based on a Pr:YLF crystal, which emits radiation in the visible spectral range [3] (topics: optics, some electronics)

2. Laser starter system: Construction of a system that automatically starts the laser pulsed operation by automatically moving the translation stage, and possible integration (hardware/software) with an existing Laser Control System that controls environmental parameters in the laser chamber (topic: electronics, mechanics, programming)

More details:

[1] www.umir.pwr.edu.pl
[2] M. Kowalczyk et al., “”Ultra-CEP-stable single-cycle pulses at 2.2 µm,”” Optica 10, 801-811 (2023)
[3] H. Tanaka et al., “”High-power visibly emitting Pr3+:YLF laser end pumped by single-emitter or fiber-coupled GaN blue laser diodes,”” Applied Optics 57, 5923-5928 (2018)

Additional information:

• www.umir.pwr.edu.pl
• https://x.com/Kowalczyk_Mac

Internship Host:

Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław)

Projects description:

This internship takes place in the Ultrafast Biophotonics Lab and focuses on using ultrashort laser pulses to image the human eye.

The project aims to develop a new optical system that uses femtosecond lasers to collect fluorescence signals from the retina. These signals can provide information about eye health in a non-invasive way.

Depending on the student’s interests, the internship may involve: building and testing laser and optical systems, designing optical setups using simulations and hands-on experiments, developing data acquisition methods, or processing and analyzing imaging data.

The project is flexible and can be tailored to students interested in optics, photonics, lasers, or biomedical applications.

Additional information:

• www.ubio.pwr.edu.pl

Internship Host:

Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń)

Projects description:

Investigations of sensitivity to two-photon stimulation on backgrounds of varying brightness.

Additional information:

• https://www.ncn.gov.pl/przyklady-projektow/komar
• https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C105250%2Ckiedy-i-jak-widzimy-podczerwien-opisano-jasnosc-widzenia-niewidzialnych
• https://jedynka.polskieradio.pl/artykul/3418139,Okulary-rozszerzonej-rzeczywisto%C5%9Bci-a-widzenie-dwufotonowe-w-podczerwieni
• https://icter.pl/pl/widzenie-dwufotonowe-okulary-ar/

Internship Host:

Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń)

Projects description:

Accurate laser spectroscopy for testing quantum physics.

Additional information:

• https://piotrwcislogroup.umk.pl/pracownik/piotr-wcislo/

Internship Host:

Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw)

Projects description:

Project title: Lensless Computational Holographic Imaging for Neurobiology Tissue Slices

Build a full optonumerical (in Matlab) pipeline that turns a raw lensless hologram (recorded directly on a camera sensor, without a microscope objective) into a sharp image of a tissue slice used in neurobiology. You will work with real optical data and implement core steps of computational holography: numerical propagation, phase recovery, autofocus, and artifact reduction. The outcome is a practical tool that reconstructs tissue images reliably and lets us compare “what works best” for different samples and allow for impctful applications in biomedcial imaging.

Additional information:

• https://qcilab.mchtr.pw.edu.pl/
• https://x.com/qci_lab?lang=pl
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maciej-trusiak-11047498/

Internship Host:

ICTER – International Centre for Translational Eye Research (Warsaw)

Projects description:

The study of visual cortex responses to light stimuli is crucial for understanding how visual information is processed in the brain and for the early detection of neurological disorders. In our team, we develop non-invasive methods for imaging visual cortex activity using interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS), which enables the detection of subtle optical and hemodynamic changes associated with neuronal activity.

The proposed internship project will involve the construction and optimization of an optical setup, conducting experiments with controlled light stimuli, and data analysis using signal processing and data science methods. The intern will also participate in the development of software for data acquisition and analysis. The internship is interdisciplinary in nature and offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of biology, optics, and data analysis.

Additional information:

• https://icter.pl/research/parallel-interferometry-and-computational-optics/
  
• https://icter.pl/diffuse-optics-and-interferometry/
• https://icter.pl/brain-flow-new-method-iscos/
  

Internship Host:

Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw)

Projects description:

Seeing the invisible: single-shot image reconstruction with deep learning

Many biological and technical objects are not directly visible in a standard microscope image. They do not modify amplitude of the light, but only change its phase. Recovering this hidden information from a single recorded image is a challenging computational problem.
In this project, you will work on the development of the algorithms that use deep learning to reconstruct phase images from a single optical measurement. You will train neural networks to turn raw interference images into quantitative maps of the object, combining basic optics with modern image-processing and machine-learning methods.
The internship is fully computational. You will work in Python, analyze simulated and real optical images, and build a reconstruction pipeline that replaces complex optical hardware with smart software. The project is ideal for students interested in AI, image processing, and applied physics, and offers hands-on experience at the intersection of optics and machine learning.

Additional information:

• www.linkedin.com/in/maria-cywińska-ba69a1149
• https://www.mchtr.pw.edu.pl/Badania-i-nauka/Projekty/Projekty-aktualne/DeepSee-Zastosowania-uczenia-glebokiego-w-jednoramkowych-poosiowych-technikach-ilosciowego-obrazowania-fazowego
• https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/index.php?projekt_id=636386

Internship Host:

Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław)

Projects description:

The internship will take place in the Singular Optics Group, where we structure the light precisely, controlling the amplitude, phase, and polarization distributions.

While doing an internship with us, you will be involved in a selected research track of the group, which concerns:

1) the possibilities of using beams with phase singularities for wavefront reconstruction [1, 2]
2) construction of communication protocols using Laguerre-Gaussian beams [3]
3) development of light shaping techniques, in particular for generating beams with non-uniform polarization distributions [4, 5]

Within each of these tracks, together with you, we will define a mini-project, determine its objectives and final outcome, and make the internship subject to it.

Don’t hestitate to reach out to any of us if you have further questions before applying

[1] Aleksandra K. Korzeniewska, et.al., “Accurate and Noise-Robust Wavefront Reconstruction with an Optical Vortex Wavefront Sensor“, Opt. Express 34, 1357-1368 (2026).
[2] Aleksandra K. Korzeniewska, et.al., “Optical vortex trajectories as probes for wavefront aberrations“, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 42, 938-944 (2025).
[3] Przemyslaw Litwin, et.al., “Ternary logic in the optical controlled-SWAP gate based on Laguerre-Gaussian modes of light“, Opt. Express 32, 15258 (2024).
[4] Przemyslaw Litwin, et.al., “Binary Complex Amplitude Application: an all-in-one Matlab application for the advanced laser beam shaping with digital micromirror device” , SoftwareX 27, 101870 (2024).
[5] Mateusz Szatkowski, et.al., “LBSA: A GUI-based Matlab software for the advanced laser beam shaping with spatial light modulators“, SoftwareX 22, 101342 (2023).

Additional information:

• www.mszatkowski.pl

Internship Host:

Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Wrocław)

Projects description:

Bose-Einstein condensation of light in semiconductor microresonators

The Quantum Fluids in Photonic Devices research team investigates Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in semiconductor optical microcavities. We are interested in quantum fluids of light of exciton polaritons in strong coupling, and condensates of photons, so just light, in lasers.

During your internship, you can join us in this research, and you will create a Bose-Einstein condensate in the laboratory! You will be trained to become an expert in our experimental techniques for measuring all parameters of quantum gases of light. We have a number of ongoing projects where you can jump right in.

We can certainly promise that this kind of research will be a very unique experience. Just a few years ago, we observed that a standard VCSEL laser behaves almost like a textbook example of a BEC! Now, we are trying to understand how it works.

M. Pieczarka et al., Nature Photonics 18, 1090-1096 (2024)

Additional information:

• https://kfd.pwr.edu.pl/groups/quantum-fluids-in-photonic-devices/
• www.linkedin.com/in/maciej-pieczarka-87a019278
• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maciej-Pieczarka

Internship Host:

Jagiellonian University (Kraków)

Projects description:

Did you know that laser light is a powerful tool that allows us not only to transmit information but also to control single atoms? Today, optics is the foundation of modern technologies, including the upcoming quantum revolution.

In our group, we focus on quantum sensing. Simply put: we use light and atoms to build ultra-precise (pseudo)magnetic field sensors. Such sensors have amazing applications – ranging from medicine (e.g., non-invasive imaging of the human heart’s magnetic field) to fundamental physics (the search for mysterious dark matter).

This internship is designed specifically for beginners. You don’t have to be an expert – we are looking for curious, hardworking people who are eager to learn!

What will you learn in practice?
• Laser operation: You will learn how to safely work with lasers and optical components (lenses, mirrors, detectors) used in professional laboratories worldwide.
• Building an experiment: You will see how to “”put the pieces together”” in experimental physics – from setting up the equipment to collecting the first data.
• Basics of atomic physics: You will see firsthand how light-matter interaction – which you learn about in lectures – works in practice.

If you are interested in how to build your own experiment, join us for an internship!

Additional information:

• pustelny.eu

Yes.

In English. It is acceptable not to translate into English documents issued by other organizations that are attached to the application.

March 16, 2026.

Yes. Such a certificate must be submitted to the Candela Foundation no later than March 23, 2026.