ADVANCED SOLID-STATE LASER SOURCES AND SYSTEMS
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Inst of Photonics
Abstract
Tomorrow's practical lasers must be engineered to meet the increasingly exacting demands of science and industry. This will require innovative laser science, and we believe that our world-leading research will enable many of the necessary advances. With the increased coherence and stability that an Engineering Platform grant will foster, we will more readily realise our vision:to engineer miniaturised, reconfigurable and actively-controlled solid-state laser systems, creating new opportunities in science, instrumentation and manufacturing.This strategy addresses issues vital to the practical application of advanced lasers: functionality, reliability and low-cost of ownership - characteristics as important for academic science as they are for innovative bio-medicine or industry. Achieving these objectives demands a multi-disciplinary research team / bringing together an understanding of source, system and application. The Advanced Laser Group combines this necessary range of expertise with an existing research portfolio that has delivered important advances in areas such as high-performance optically pumped semiconductor lasers and self-optimising lasers - resulting in sources tailored for applications as diverse as high resolution biological imaging and free-space optical communications. We will take this work forward through a research strategy that centres on four themes:1. Advanced micro-lasers2. Lasers with programmable output patterns (e.g. for simplified lithography)3. Improved sources for biophotonics and medicine4. Versatile and self re-configurable microprocessor-controlled lasersHowever, this programme must also adapt to the exciting new opportunities that this vibrant area of research are will continue to produce. A strategic outlook, innovative laser science and the flexibility to respond to new opportunities will be essential in achieving our research objectives. Thus, it will be vital to retain key contract research staff, undertake adventurous - but high risk - pre-project studies and collaborate internationally. The flexible funding mechanism of a platform grant will assist with all three imperatives; thus underpinning our innovative research programme.Lasers are a keystone technology: rapid progress in advanced laser engineering is vital to sustain the UK's leading position in the optical sciences, the photonics industry and the crucial applications they jointly enable. Platform grant funding will underpin our existing research strategy, strengthening and adding flexibility to the base from which we can continue to provide important science and technology for tomorrow's truly enabling laser systems.
Publications

Andersen MT
(2009)
Singly-resonant sum frequency generation of visible light in a semiconductor disk laser.
in Optics express

C.G. Leburn (Co-Author)
(2007)
Self-starting femtosecond Cr4+:YAG laser mode locked with a GaInNAs saturable Bragg reflector

Calvez S
(2008)
GaInNAs(Sb) surface normal devices
in physica status solidi (a)

Calvez S
(2009)
Semiconductor disk lasers for the generation of visible and ultraviolet radiation
in Laser & Photonics Review

Calvez S
(2010)
Semiconductor Disk Lasers - Physics and Technology

Chen Y
(2011)
Laser action in a surface-structured free-standing membrane based on a p-conjugated polymer-composite
in Organic Electronics

Chen Y
(2011)
Flexible distributed-feedback colloidal quantum dot laser
in Applied Physics Letters

Chen Y
(2011)
Colloidal quantum dot random laser.
in Optics express

Daniele Carmine Parrotta (Co-Author)
(2011)
VECSEL-pumped tunable CW Raman laser
Description | This is a wide-ranging project of solid state laser research. A new generation of solid state light sources has been introduced. One of the most significant findings has been around the use of optical pumping of semiconductor lasers. These lasers give high efficiency, high beam quality and low noise. They are ideal for investigating nonlinear optical phenomena. This has enabled broad spectral coverage. A new generation of light sources has been developed which is being deployed in a number of applications. |
Exploitation Route | Some of these findings are already being taken forward by local laser companies and Fraunhofer CAP among others. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The findings of this research has been taken forward by local laser companies and in collaboration with other businesses. These include companies such as M squared Lasers, Coherent Scotland and Fraunhofer CAP. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | BAE Systems |
Amount | £10,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial contract |
Organisation | BAE Systems |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | BAE Systems |
Amount | £10,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial contract |
Organisation | BAE Systems |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £996,024 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I022791/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £386,986 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E036724/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £326,665 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E004903/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,691,083 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F05999X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £386,986 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E036724/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,691,083 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F05999X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £627,792 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G00014X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,605,922 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G042446/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £148,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E056989/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £627,792 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G00014X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £148,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E056989/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £201,718 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H024948/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £326,665 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E004903/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £201,718 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H024948/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,605,922 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G042446/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £761,351 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E064450/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £761,351 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E064450/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Element Six Ltd |
Amount | £10,977 (GBP) |
Funding ID | E6 |
Organisation | De Beers Group |
Department | Element Six |
Sector | Private |
Country | Luxembourg |
Start |
Description | Element Six Ltd |
Amount | £10,977 (GBP) |
Funding ID | E6 |
Organisation | De Beers Group |
Department | Element Six |
Sector | Private |
Country | Luxembourg |
Start |
Description | European Research Council |
Amount | £1,265,158 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EC 278389 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start |
Description | European Research Council |
Amount | £1,265,158 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EC 278389 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start |
Description | Technology Strategy Board |
Amount | £113,317 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TP 6356-45354 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Thales Prize |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £39,318 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £39,318 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | Thales Ltd |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Thales Prize |
Organisation | Thales Group |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start |
Description | University of Strathclyde |
Amount | £9,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RDF 1421 |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | University of Strathclyde |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RDF 1533 |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |