Organisation Description

The Photonics Innovation Centre (PIC) provides a forum in which industry and other laboratories can work closely with university scientists in customising research for specific applications. More specifically, through enabling prototype devices based on the premier opto-electronic and quasi-optical research of the Photonics and mm-wave Groups in the University of St Andrews, the Centre promotes: the availability of reliable and optimised devices for application orientated assessment, a more rapid pull-through of new devices for commercialisation and a diversification of photonic based devices into new and more widespread applications. Part of the University of St Andrews.

Main Markets

The application markets for the photonic technologies developed by PIC include:

• Defence – Rangefinding, Target marking, Laser radar, EOCM * Spectroscopy
• Electronics – Component Marking, Trimming, Semiconductor processing * Medical – Diagnostic, Theraputic, Imaging
• Industrial – Printing, Marking, Machining * Instrumentation – Inspection, Test
• Bio-sciences – Optical manipulation, Photo-chemical interactions, vibrometry * Environmental Sensing

Services Offered

The Centre offers an enhanced opportunity for the development and assessment of novel photonic and mm-wave devices both through collaborative ventures with industrial and other partners and through complementary in-house programmes. The availability of reliable and optimised versions of new devices is often a prerequisite for their successful exploitation, particularly when the lead-time for new technologies is often very short. Through in-house ventures, this facility enables prototype devices to be designed, constructed and fully characterised, which then become routinely available to both intra- and extra-mural users, to explore potential applications and product feasibility. Complementing in-house activities are collaborative ventures with industrial partners, potentially funded through such schemes as LINK,TCS and ROPA. In these projects the Centre is responsive to requests for devices suited to particular applications and provides additionally a forum in which information can be efficiently transferred, a factor crucial to the successful commercial exploitation of ideas.

Specialised Skills and Facilities

The Centre benefits from a broad ranging and world leading research base, which provides expertise in most aspects of photonic technology. Current activities, which offer opportunities for innovative device development, include:

• Diode-laser pumped solid-state lasers operating in the UV to IR spectral range and in pulsed (including ultrafast) or continuous-wave modes. Laser types include tunable vibronic materials such as Cr:LiSAF for ultrafast applications and neodymium in either conventional high power/compact form or mini-laser/microchip format.
• All-solid-state optical parametric oscillators spanning the femtosecond to continuous-wave time domains and tunable in the

visible to mid-IR spectral range. Development includes the use of both birefringent and quasi-phasematched materials, including PPLN, PPKTP, PPRTA and others.

• Quasi-optical component design and development for mm-wave instrumentation – details on our web site.
• Quasi-optical system design and development, including mm-wave radar, antennae development, medical imaging and topography.
• Photonic and mm-wave technology consultancy services.

The Centre comprises some 250 sq.m. of fully equipped and serviced laboratory space, within the School of Physics and Astronomy, which is dedicated to the development of prototype devices. Facilities include:

• Air-conditioned laboratories equipped with clean-air laminar-flow systems * Diode-laser pumped solid-state laser pump sources
• Extensive vibration control and optical shop equipment availability * Class H (1000) clean room facility
• State-of-the-art optical, opto-electronic and mm-wave test and measurement equipment * Optical, mechanical and electronic CAD support.
• In-house electronic and mechanical design and prototyping support

Collaboration Sought or Offered

The Photonics Innovation Centre views as a priority the establishment of partnerships between academia and industry, with a view to fostering applications of newly emergent photonic and mm-wave technologies. Collaborative ventures are sought with both manufacturers and users of these technologies in the areas outlined above.
PIC is also pleased to offer specialist test ans measurement facilities to SME’s and larger organisations, as a cost effective means of sourcing expert help in the early stages of a product development cycle.