Core Facility For Advanced Photonics and Manufacturing

The Core Facility For Advanced Photonics and Manufacturing within the Faculty of Science and Engineering is managed by specialists and technicians from various institutes. This facility fosters collaboration between research and teaching, overseeing the technical operation of a diverse array of equipment for advanced manufacturing, photonics research, and optoelectronics research.

Advanced Manufacturing activities are primarily conducted in the Laser Processing Research Laboratory (LPRL, formerly known as the LPRC) and the Manufacturing Technology Research Laboratory (MTRL). In contrast, Advanced Photonics research is centred in the Photon Science Institute (PSI). The Core Facility is also assisting in the establishment of the Bio-energy laboratory.

Facilities at the PSI include optoelectronic device fabrication, optical and electronic characterisation, a cleanroom, a range of laser systems from continuous wave (CW) to ultrafast, and several specialised research facilities such as CUSTOM and PNAME. Many of these activities are associated with the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials Research and Innovation.

Each area is driven by academic leads or users of the equipment, with facility members providing services such as technical expertise, training, operational support, and research assistance.