We have 30 research groups working on a variety of individual and collaborative projects. A common theme of our research is to apply our extensive optical toolbox to new and developing areas, such as biosensing and manufacturing.
Optical Materials involves the discovery, fabrication and characterisation of substances with new or interesting optical properties.
Groups include: Integrated Photonic Devices | Nanophotonics and Metamaterials | Nonlinear & Microstructured Optical Materials | Nonlinear Semiconductor Photonics | Novel Glass & Fibre | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics | Physical Optics | Pulsed Laser Deposition | Silica Fibre Fabrication
The history of the optic fibre is closely linked to the ORC, and today the innovation continues as new fibre designs and techniques continue to be developed.
Groups include: Advanced Fibre Technologies & Applications | Coherent Optical Signals | Distributed Optical Fibre Sensors| Microstructured Fibre| Novel Glass & Fibre | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics | Silica Fibre Fabrication
Historically, the ORC has participated in the key innovations that enable the worldwide optical networks. This work is continuing today, as new techniques push out the boundaries of communication speed and cost.
Groups include: Advanced Fibre Technologies & Applications | Coherent Optical Signals | Distributed Optical Fibre Sensors | Nonlinear Semiconductor Photonics | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics | Optical Fibre Communications | Photonic Systems Circuits and Sensors
Light Generation and Manipulation covers Lasers, Optical Parametric Oscillators and non-linear devices that perform, for example frequency conversion. This covers a wide range of techniques and devices, but aimed at the same end result.
Groups include: Advanced Solid-State Sources | Coherent Optical Signals | Fibre Bragg Gratings | High Power Fibre Lasers | Integrated Photonic Devices |Multimode Photonics Group | Nanophotonics and Metamaterials | Nonlinear & Microstructured Optical Materials | Nonlinear Semiconductor Photonics | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics | Ultrafast Optical Parametric Oscillators | Physical Optics | Planar Waveguide & Slab Lasers |Pulsed Laser Deposition | Ultrafast Laser X-Ray Group
Some of the most exciting emerging technologies involve the interaction of light at the smallest levels. These groups are working with sub-micron structures and devices with a range of applications, including biological work that is set to create a new wave of medical advancement.
Groups include: Integrated Photonic Devices | Laser-Direct-Write (LDW) Technologies for Biomedical Sensors | Nonlinear & Microstructured Optical Materials | Optical Biosensors & Biophotonics | Ultrafast Laser X-Ray Group
Many of the ORC's greatest achievements come from exploring the fundamentals of optics and quantum electronics. These groups are improving the understanding of light and matter to feed our own insatiable appetite for discovery.
Groups include: Physical Optics |Nanophotonics and Metamaterials | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics