The University of Southampton

Research Groups

Research Groups

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.

To give you an idea of the disciplines our groups are working on, we have categorised them into broad themes. Note that some groups have more than one theme due to the multi-disciplinary nature of our research. A full alphabetical list of our groups can be found at the bottom of this page.

Optical Materials

Optical Materials involves the discovery, fabrication and characterisation of substances with new or interesting optical properties.

Groups include: Integrated Photonic Devices | Nanophotonics and MetamaterialsNonlinear & Microstructured Optical Materials | Nonlinear Semiconductor Photonics | Novel Glass & Fibre | Optical Engineering and Quantum PhotonicsPhysical Optics | Pulsed Laser Deposition | Silica Fibre Fabrication

Optical Fibres

Optical Fibres

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 SignalsDistributed Optical Fibre SensorsMicrostructured FibreNovel Glass & Fibre | Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics | Silica Fibre Fabrication

Optical Networks and Systems

Optical Networks and Systems

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

Light Generation and Manipulation

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.

Biophotonic Microsystems

Paper diagnostics
Paper diagnostics

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 SensorsNonlinear & Microstructured Optical Materials | Optical Biosensors & Biophotonics | Ultrafast Laser X-Ray Group

Fundamental Photonics

Fundamental Photonics

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 

Alphabetical list of Research Groups

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