Integrated Photonic Devices

The Integrated Photonic Devices Group, led by Professor James Wilkinson, was established in early 1990 to meet the demand for optical device functions of increasing complexity and parallelism. Planar photonic devices are exploited in applications as diverse as telecommunications, tuneable and short-pulse miniature laser light sources, diagnostics in medicine, the environment and food processing, and early-warning sensors for biological agents. 

We exploit surface science, waveguide engineering, laser physics and microstructure technology to realise robust mass-producible integrated optical circuits, to further the monolithic integration of diverse devices, and to develop novel materials processing for optoelectronic devices.

The group is currently active in the fields of

microsphere resonator coupled planar lightwave circuits ultrasonic manipulation and optical detection of DNA optical sorting of micro-, nano- and bio-particles sapphire waveguide optics optical biosensors gas correlation spectroscopy optofluidic integration for bioanalysis waveguide lasers and amplifiers nonlinear optics microstructured dielectric films and materials

The group also has responsibility for running the “InterFab” cleanroom facility for optical, electronic and microfluidic device fabrication. Processes include photolithography, thin-film deposition, dry and wet etching, bonding and diffusion and these are supported by metrology facilities and comprehensive optical measurement and characterisation laboratories.

We collaborate extensively within the ORC, for example with the Novel Glass and Fibre Group, the Optical Biosensors and Biophotonics Group, and with the Schools of Electronics and Computer Science, Engineering Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Medicine.  Externally, we collaborate with industries such as SPI Lasers and Mesophotonics, and academic institutions such as FORTH Crete, University of Tromsø, Universidad Autonóma de Madrid, and King’s College London.

Integrated Microsphere Planar Lightwave Circuits

Integration of Nd3+-doped microspheres and optical planar waveguide for microlasers

Waveguide Coupled Microsphere Functions

Ultrasonic manipulation and transport of DNA molecules in evanescent light fields

Multianalyte Optical Biosensor System for Parallel Screening of Illicit Drugs and Markers of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Integrated Optofluidic Device for Particle Analysis and Sorting

Erbium Doped Waveguide Amplifiers (EDWA) Circuits

Optical selection of stem cells: application to human embryonic germ cells

The Integrated Photonic Devices Group offer a range of postgraduate research projects. Click here to find out more.

For a list of selected recent publications, including invited papers, refereed conference papers and refereed journal papers, please click here.