About the ORC

The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is one of the world’s leading institutes for photonics research based at the University of Southampton.

The ORC was formed in 1989 as an Interdisciplinary Research Centre, merging groups from the Schools of Electronics and Computer Science, and Physics and Astronomy at the University.

We have a vibrant community of researchers, led by some of the leading figures in the field of photonics.

Over the last forty years we and our predecessors have contributed significantly to the remarkable growth of the photonics industry, including the optical telecommunication technology that underpins the internet as well as many solutions in medicine, biosciences sensing, security and manufacturing.

We have very strong links with local, national and international industries, and collaborate with many other university groups as well as other schools within the University of Southampton.

Our staff are encouraged to pursue industrial links, and we are one of the leading schools in this area, working with the Research and Innovation Services department at the University.

With around 200 publications per year, 25 Invited or Plenary talks, and a spectacular history of innovation, we are highly successful. Academic success is, however, only part of the story. Our mission is to make a positive difference to the world around us, continuing the quest for lateral, non-linear ideas.

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Find about about the origins and history of the ORC here.