Intelligent and directed laser-based spectroscopy

Laser-based spectroscopic techniques - encompassing LIBS, Raman and deep-infrared absorption spectroscopy - offer unprecedented performance for molecular and elemental diagnostics. They are however highly directional - dictated by the spatial properties of the probing laser beam. This is highly beneficial when one is interested in ascertaining the nature of substances with a high degree of spatial resolution - perhaps measuring the composition of single particles contaminating an otherwise clean surface - but identifying and vectoring the beam to such regions of interest is challenging. Such a possibility is becoming ever more practical as the availability of ultra-compact, high-power computer systems increases apace. By combining such directed laser-based spectroscopic techniques with computer-aided vision and beam scanning technology, regions of interest can autonomously be identified and characterised.

An exciting opportunity exists to develop and refine the spectroscopic work of the team at the Fraunhofer centre by combining their laser-based systems with the extensive signal processing expertise of Professor Marshall's group to generate novel and automated sensing modalities. Through this synergy, the utility and potential of our combined signal processing techniques and laboratory-based sensing systems will be realised. The potency of the resulting technology will then be evaluated in a range of timely and high-value applications such as the scanning and sorting of plastics in recycling, screening and protection in the food and drink industry, medical diagnostics and environmental and contamination monitoring.

This project has a broad technological coverage encompassing two exciting and complementing fields of science - laser physics and spectroscopy, and signal processing and computer-aided vision. In the photonics aspects, the prospective student will be exposed to the laboratory-based experimental laser physics, as well as opto-mechanical, electronic and spectroscopic instrumentation design. In parallel, the same person will be responsible for the development of advanced signal and image processing algorithms (involving for instance fitting the data to the library, spectral and spatial features extraction, object detection and identification based on the gathered information). As such this represents an ideal challenge for the broadly-skilled student but also can be tailored to meet the strengths/aspirations of particular candidates.

This programme will aim to strengthen the link between two complementing fields of study, enabling game-changing applications of spectroscopic systems. The synergistic development of both photonics and signal processing strands will empower implementation of novel and unprecedented solutions in both of these fields.

Complementing our Pathways to Impact document, here we state the expected real-world impact, which is of course the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.38M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.56M).

Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.

(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.

(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published to disseminate this knowledge.

(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.

(4) Impact on Society
Photonic imaging, sensing and related devices and analytical techniques underpin many of products and services that UK industry markets either to consumers or to other businesses. Reskilling of the workforce with an emphasis on promoting technical leadership is central to EPSRC's Productive Nation prosperity outcome, and our CDT will achieve exactly this through its development of future industrially engaged scientists, engineers and innovators. The impact that these individuals will have on society will be manifested through their contribution to the creation of new products and services that improve the quality of life in sectors like transport, dependable energy networks, security and communications.

Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expected from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact of greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.