Sjoerd van der Heide

Sjoerd van der Heide is a University Researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology, affiliated with the Electrical Engineering department and the Electro-Optical Communication group. His work focuses on advanced optical communication systems, with expertise in quantum key distribution, digital signal processing, and space-division multiplexing.

• Education: MSc in Optical Communication Systems (2017), thesis titled Low-complexity pre-compensation and advanced modulation techniques for high capacity intensity-modulated direct detection systems, supervised by Prof. C.M. Okonkwo.

Research interests include:

• Quantum cryptography over free-space and fiber links
• GPU-accelerated real-time optical receivers
• Mode-division multiplexing techniques
• Holography-based fiber device characterization
• Atmospheric turbulence compensation
• Statistical modeling of mode-dependent loss

Recent publications demonstrate trends in

• Continuous-variable QKD integration
• Co-propagation of classical and quantum signals
• Neural network applications for transmission
• High-capacity SDM systems
• Real-time GPU-based signal processing
• Off-axis digital holography techniques

Scientific awards include:

• ECOC 2018 Student Paper Award
• Optica Student Paper Award (2022)
• OECC 2019 Best Paper Award

Active in experimental validation of transmission systems, with collaborations on multi-core fiber implementations, turbulence generators, and software-defined optical receivers. Currently involved in the Zwaartekracht ECO project for integrated nanophotonics research.