Research

This includes advancing and miniaturising photonic integration science and technology to produce micro & nanoscale optoelectronic systems, which will increase device functionality, performance and energy efficiency. For example our research programmes include the development of:

• Highly energy efficient >400Gb/s transceivers for short-reach optical interconnects in data centres to address a critical bottleneck in these data warehouses
• Terabit/s communications systems for wide area networks, based on integrated photonic circuits that allow information channels to be packed in individual optical fibres in order to approach theoretical maximum capacities (1 Terabit =  10¹² bits)
• Miniaturised and potentially wearable diagnostics systems through the use of the emerging science of silicon photonics as well as hybrid & monolithic integration technologies
• Surgical instruments with integrated miniaturised photonics-based sensors, including the development of flexible microLEDs for optogenetics

The research programme is split into two tiers:

• Platform Research  where we complete our discovery research activities with the objective to develop next generation technology platforms and train PhD students (the focus here is to deliver impact in a 3 to 5 year window and on TRL activities 2 to 4)
• Targeted Research where we complete translational research activities with industry partners (TRLs 4 to 7) that are designed to deliver impact in 1 to 3 years

The combination of the two tiers ensures that we deliver clear tangible benefits to our industry partners, while simultaneously delivering scientific excellence and developing the next generation of scientists and engineers. Our research programme is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of our industry partners, through the inputs of our young research team and through collaborations with new international academic partners. It is our ambition to continuously enhance our research programme and to deliver significant economic & societal impact.