Our research has performed exceptionally well, which is evidenced in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF). Our research environment is of considerable importance to postgraduate students andÌýreceived a remarkably high rating as well.Ìý
Photonics & Communications
Our Photonic and Communications research extends from nanometre scale semiconductor devices to sensorsÌýfor biomedical applications. We explore large scale optical communication systems which enable data to be transferred at 40ÌýGigabytes per second.ÌýÌýWe conduct research in a number of key photonic research areas and collaborates with Universities in Germany, Russia, US, Vietnam and China.ÌýÌý
Related research activities at ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É include nanophotonics, nanoelectronics, nano-optomechanics, MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), nanofabrication, laser microfabrication, metamaterials, optical fibre sensors, graphene and other 2D materials, bioelectrics, microfluidics and flexible electronics.
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Optical communicationsÌýÌýÌý
We are a leading international research group in optical communications and digital signal processing (DSP)Ìýfor telecommunications.Ìý Our scientists invented a now globally accepted DSP-based signalÌýtransmission concept termed adaptively modulated optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OOFDM), andÌýhasÌýachieved a series of 12 ground-breaking experimental demonstrations of real-time high-speed OOFDM transceivers. TheseÌýreal-time demonstrations are enabled by a number of DSP-based symbol synchronisation and clock signalÌýgeneration techniques, which was invented by ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É. ThisÌýpioneering work has resulted inÌýFujitsu’s commercialisation of the OOFDM technique for data centres. OOFDM is currently also being considered as aÌýtechnology standard by several international standards bodies such as 400GE Ethernet. Most recently, our researchÌýactivities are focussed on exploring cutting-edge DSP technologies for seamlessly converging optical networks andÌýmobile networks for 5G networks to improve signal transmission and bandwidth.ÌýÌýÌýÌý
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Nano lasersÌýÌýÌý
Lasers are used in many everyday applications such as cars, and for treatment of cancers. Widespread efforts to miniaturise photonic devices are driven by the opportunity to develop new nanoscale sensors andÌýactuators suitable for wide ranging usage in areas such as environmental monitoring, bio-scientific and medical applications.ÌýÑÇÖÞÉ«°É manufactures the next generation of lasers that are smaller than the one hundredth of the size of a human air. This opens up exciting new applications for this technology.ÌýÌý
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Using photonics for microwave generationÌýÌýÌýÌý
Photonic generation of high-frequency microwave signals has gained much attention over the past decade. One of the mainÌýmotivations behind these studies is their potential application in radio-over-fiberÌý(RoF) communication systems. Compared with conventionalÌýcircuitry-basedÌýmicrowave generation, photonic microwave generation offers several advantages, such as, low cost, highÌýspeed, longer transmission distance, low power consumption and less system integration complexity.Ìý Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a special type of semiconductor lasers. It has many impressive characteristics, such as low cost,ÌýlowÌýpower consumption, circular beam profile, single-longitudinal mode operation, ease of fabrication and longevity, therefore,Ìýmicrowave photonic signal generation based on optically injected VCSEL offers low-cost and a route for low powerÌýconsumption.ÌýÌýÌýÌý
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Use of optical chaosÌýÌýÌýÌý
Chaos has attracted considerable research interest due to its use in high-speed communications, logic gates, opticalÌýtime domain reflectors, LIDARs and physical random number generators. Chaos with high complexity, broad bandwidth and noÌýtime delay signature is preferred for most of its applications. Great efforts have been made to achieve the best chaos.ÌýÌýÌý
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Integrated Photonics and activeÌýplasmonicsÌýÌýÌýÌý
Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) technology is a fast-growing sector of the optics industry and is estimated to command aÌýmarket share of about £1B by 2022.Ìý Silicon and III-V material platforms are widely used for realisingÌýPICsÌýbut other materialsÌýare also being considered and developed. We develop approaches for guiding and manipulating light signals on a singleÌýphotonic chip, using low losses wave guiding platforms and other components. For this purpose, we use nanofabrication processes in the departmental cleanroom.ÌýÌýÌý
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2D materials for photonic sensingÌýÌýÌý
Photonics technology is being increasingly proposed as a favourable optical platform for a wide range of scientific andÌýindustrial sensing applications. The state-of-the-art 2D materials such as grapheneÌýtogether with the advanced photonics technologiesÌýlead us to discover new phenomena, new developments and new applications. We conduct the multidisciplinary research inÌýbio-nano-photonics fields by exploiting new emerging opportunities with the integration of fibre optic technology,Ìýnanotechnology and 2D nanomaterials for the applications in healthcare, biomedical, food safety and environmentalÌýmonitoring.ÌýÌýÌýÌý