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

Robin Cleveland

Professor of Engineering Science

My research is in the area of acoustics, primarily focused on biomedical acoustics with applications in both diagnostics and therapeutics.

Stuart Conway

Professor of Organic Chemistry

The focus of our research is the development of selective molecular probes to enable investigation of certain biological systems.

Gavin Dalton

Professor of Astrophysics

I am working on wide‐field imaging and fibre‐fed spectroscopy instrumentation in visible and near‐infrared astronomy, both in instrument construction and science exploitation.

Jason Davis

Professor in Chemistry and University Reader

Our research bridges fundamental chemistry with real-world application, with a growing focus on translational diagnostics and molecular sensing.

Nynke Dekker

Professor

Our long-term goal is to understand how molecular motors work together with accessory factors in the copying of DNA or RNA

Steve Elston

Professor of Engineering Science

My present research interests are mainly in the field of novel liquid crystal materials and applications, within which I undertake both theoretical and experimental work.

Nigel Emptage

Professor of Pharmacology

Our research in neuroscience is supported by the development of novel optical imaging tools, particularly through high resolution microscopy.

Julian Fells

EPSRC Research Fellow

My research is focuses on the development of new sensor technology using laser-written Fibre Bragg gratings

Stephen Fletcher

Professor of Chemistry

My research is in the area of synthetic organic chemistry. About half of my group works on projects related to photonics.

Marco Fritzsche

Professor of Biophysical Immunology (Innovation Investigator Track)

My research focuses on the understanding of the mechanobiology of the human immunity.

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Optics and Photonics at Oxford