Benn Thomsen

About

I joined Microsoft Research in Cambridge in 2017 where I work on optical systems for networking and storage in next generation cloud computing systems.

Before joining Microsoft I was a reader in Optical Communications and a member of the Optical Networks Group at UCL from 2004-2017. My research at UCL has focused on the physical layer implementation of dynamic optical networks and optical transmission. With a particular focus in the area of digital signal processing for burst mode optical receivers, optical networking for data centres and the use of MIMO techniques for transmission over multimode optical fibres.

I moved to the UK in 2002 to join the Optoelectronics Research Centre, Southampton University, U.K., as a research fellow, where I carried out research on ultra-short optical pulse generation and characterisation, optical packet switching based on optically coded labels, all optical pulse processing, high power short pulse amplification and optical noise suppression.

I obtained a BTech (Optoelectronics) with first class honours, an MSc (with distinction) and a PhD in physics at The University of Auckland, New Zealand. My PhD research involved the development and characterisation of short optical pulse sources suitable for high-capacity optical communication systems.