Challenging the Limits of Photonics:structured light

Photonics is the science of generating, controlling and detecting light. The field is at the crossroads of several disciplines including physics, biology, materials, mathematics and chemistry. Following the rapid evolution of electronics subsequent to the invention of the transistor in the late 1940's, the coming decades will see photonics impact most areas of our lives including future internet infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, radical new approaches to Healthcare, Lighting and enabling a revolution in sensing and imaging. However, convention teaches us that focussing of light is constrained by the Abbé diffraction limit, that light penetrates tissue poorly due to Rayleigh and Mie scattering and that collimated, coherent light emission requires a laser. By challenging such established conventions with a transformative understanding of the fundamentals of light propagation, we can create a paradigm shift; while the 20th century was the century of the electron, we firmly believe that the 21st will be the century of the photon. In order to realize this vision, we need to explore the fundamental concepts of coherently shaping light in phase, amplitude and polarization - structuring light - to unveil startling advances. In particular, the structuring and shaping of light will break through perceived limits and open up the next generation of opportunities, particularly in the burgeoning areas of healthcare and biophotonics.

Four projects will run in parallel and by combining their outputs, we aim to overcome current limits in Photonics and address major Challenges such as super-resolution microscopy, nanoscopic sensing, single cell proteomics, ubiquitous laser-like sources, spatially controlled optogenetics, therapy and imaging at depth

We summarize the impact of the Programme by addressing the question: who will benefit from this Research and how?

The ageing population and rising cost of healthcare is a challenge across the world. Photonics can make an important contribution because light is less invasive than most forms of diagnosis and treatment. By developing our concepts of structured light we will overcome existing limitations and open up new opportunities for areas such as the next generation of healthcare technologies and biomedical instrumentation. As an example, one of our team (IDWS) has used advanced photonics to generate novel portable sources such that when a skin cancer is treated by photodynamic therapy, the need for surgery is avoided, and a better cosmetic outcome is obtained. Furthermore, our advances in photonics aims - as in this example - to allow this treatment to be delivered in a GP clinic or at home, removing the need for a hospital visit, improving the treatment received by patients and reducing the associated cost. It is not just treatment that can benefit but also imaging and sensing which in themselves will lead to an earlier prognosis for disease and increase prospects for Quality of Life. We will identify similarly promising directions through a Biological Opportunities Panel, and in addition via our strong links to the medical school attached to our department as well as our international and UK collaborators incl. Ninewells Hospital, IMSAT and the Albert Einstein Centre for Medicine NY. We see outputs emerging on a 5-20 year timeframe and to have profound long term impact.

The proposed work is potentially ground-breaking in the field of physics of light - photonics - as well as developing advanced applications with novel light sources. The Programme will have major impact in a range of fields outside its initial remit such as biology and medicine, as the advantages of this novel science and forward looking applications can address aspects of the 21st century Healthcare agenda. We envisage our advances in challenging the limits of photonics to open up new vistas and commercial markets in the future. We envisage impact on the Public through our outreach work as the significance of our research is translated to the wider community inspiring and enthusing young people to work and contribute to this area.

Whilst we operate in a global marketplace we clearly see that UK companies (esp. in Biological and medical instrumentation) will benefit in numerous ways including wealth creation as our advances are commercialised. We shall endeavor to ensure that the impact is clearly linked to the outputs (academic and industrial) of UK Science (eg patents, know-how of our work). We will engage with a wide range of UK companies (eg Ambicare Health, Elliot Scientific, M2) by presenting at appropriate UK and international meetings. This includes meetings with strong KT components eg the Scottish Optoelectronics Association and the SUPA Knowledge Transfer mechanisms including their annual showcase events. A further measure to advance industrial engagement are the workshops to be held in years 3 and 5 of the project, to which we will invite companies as well as potential users of research such as biomedical and healthcare personnel