Home | Oxford Photonics

University of Oxford researchers at the forefront of development

From quantum photonics and metrology to super-resolution optical imaging, biophotonics, ultrafast spectroscopy, sensing, and laser processing, Oxford offers both a diverse range of expertise and a vibrant photonics community in which to study and work. The Photonics Network was set up by researchers in Chemistry, Engineering, Materials, Physics and biomedical departments, to organise optics and photonics related events and a range of interdisciplinary collaborative work. Activities started in 2011 and have been growing ever since.

Oxford Photonics research areas

BIOPHOTONICS

In biophotonics we aim to apply our optical expertise to the advancement of research on biological themes.

IMAGING

Imaging is an important aspect of photonics research across many departments within the University

SPECTROSCOPY

Spectroscopy is a key component of any optical toolkit, providing non-invasive monitoring of the composition of a sample.

MATERIALS AND DEVICES

Research into photonics materials and devices enable us to transfer our optical knowledge to a platform which is stable and easy to use

OPTICAL PHYSICS

Research in optical physics allows us to understand the basic properties of light and its generation from a fundamental starting point, as well as forming an important precursor to future technology

Photons

Photons provide both the briefest known events in the universe - optical pulses of order 10^-16 seconds in duration - and the means to measure the age of the universe itself (10¹⁷ seconds) via the spectrum of microwave background radiation. The scope and use of photonics in the 21st century, over 50 years after the invention of the laser, is vast and continually expanding, as basic research in the generation, manipulation, interaction, and detection of light fuels scientific discovery, the creation of novel applications, and the invention and engineering of new materials and devices for use in our everyday lives.

Oxford Photonics people

Dirk Aarts

Professor of Chemistry

We are working in soft condensed matter with a focus on the phase, interface and flow behaviour of colloidal particles.

Harry Anderson FRS

Professor of Chemistry

Our group does research in the areas of molecular materials synthesis, supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, polymers and dyes.

Huriye Atilgan

Postdoctoral Researcher, Henry Wellcome Fellow

Postdoctoral Researcher, Henry Wellcome Fellow Research interests: Auditory neuroscience, Auditory scene analysis, Neural circuit mechanisms of value-based decision making, Role of the claustrum in cognition (modulation, large-scale cortical communication), Use of advanced methods in neuroscience

Abhishek Banerjee

Professor of Neuroscience at Queen Mary University, London and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at University of Oxford

We are interested in studying neural circuit mechanisms underlying the flexibility of decision-making and how circuit dysfunctions arise in animal models of neurological disorders.

Richard Berry

Associate Professor of Physics

My research is focused on rotary molecular motors, in particular the Bacterial Flagellar Motor, which is a rotary molecular engine powered by the flow of ions across the inner, or cytoplasmic, membrane of a bacterial cell envelope.

Harish Bhaskaran

Professor of Applied Nanomaterials

I run the Advanced Nanoscale Engineering Lab.

Ruy Sebastian Bonilla

Associate Professor of Materials

My research aims to understand the interfaces between electronic materials, to develop new processing for advanced nanolayer materials, and to apply them to new and improved electronic, optical, electrochemical, and computing devices.

Martin Booth

Professor of Electrical Engineering

My research interests lie in the theory and practice of dynamic optics, particularly the use of adaptive optical elements in high resolution microscopy and ultrafast laser fabrication.

Randy Bruno

Professor of Neuroscience

My lab investigates the workings of cortical circuitry, using a combination of techniques: anatomy, intracellular recording, two-photon microscopy, optogenetics, and behavior.

Gianfelice Cinque

Diamond Light Source and University of Oxford (honorary)

My main research focus is on IR microspectroscopy in (bio)physics and biomedicine, synchrotron radiation spectroscopy and imaging, and on the development of near field IR imaging and Coherent SR THz spectroscopy techniques.

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Optics and Photonics at Oxford