Photonics Research Group

The Photonics Research Group, with more than 50 active researchers, is the largest research group in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and one of the largest in photonics research in the UK. It has a world-recognised record of achievement in nonlinear photonics, high-speed optical transmission and processing, in fibre optic components and in fibre optic sensors.

It is an acknowledged centre of excellence for experimental and theoretical research in optical soliton, high speed optical systems, fibre grating technology, fibre sensors, microwave photonics, bio-photonics, and all-optical networks. The group pursues a diverse range of device-and-system-level topics at the leading edge of technology. It has recently successfully expanded its activities in a number of key areas including femtosecond pulsed laser techniques, medical sensing devices, and planar integrated optical circuits.

A distinguishing feature of the PRG's research profile is the way in which significant industrial and collaborative projects provide the context for fundamental research, usually of an interdisciplinary nature. It maintains active and fertile collaborations with industrial companies and academic institutions throughout the world.

Since its inception, the Photonics Research Group has maintained very strong links with industry, which has funded much of the research within the group, either directly or via the DTI LINK scheme and its successor, the Technology Programme. On top of this, the group has benefitted from numerous CASE awards and has spun out three companies over the last few years. Current collaborations cover the range from small start-up companies through to major multinationals, such as BAE systems and Airbus.