2009 Press Releases
Optical breakthough at Tyndall
15.09.2009
Photonics - the study and application of devices that transmit and control light signals and the underlying technology supporting everything from the Internet and telecommunications to DVD players and supermarket checkouts - becomes the focus of attention over the coming days as the Photonics Ireland 2009 conference takes place in Kinsale (September 14th-16th, 2009).
15.09.2009
Photonics - the study and application of devices that transmit and control light signals and the underlying technology supporting everything from the Internet and telecommunications to DVD players and supermarket checkouts - becomes the focus of attention over the coming days as the Photonics Ireland 2009 conference takes place in Kinsale (September 14th-16th, 2009).
Leading scientists involved in harnessing optical properties for these and related purposes are gathering to showcase some of the outstanding breakthroughs in photonics - an area in which Ireland has emerged as a leading international force in recent years.
Addressing the conference, Director-General of Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Frank Gannon said “Ireland has developed a world-leading capability in creating new semiconductor materials for photonics. Scientists at Tyndall National Institute Cork have recently demonstrated the creation of ‘quantum dots’ (nanoscale semiconductor particles), representing a record four-fold improvement in the control of optical characteristics, over the best previously reported results. This progress was made possible by the leverage of Science Foundation Ireland-funded Principal Investigators and investment of the Higher Education Authority (HEA, under the PRTLI programme) in a state-of-the-art facility for growth of III-V semiconductor materials. These outstanding results are an example of the new capability to impact the development of photonic devices for telecoms and mass-market applications.”
Professor Gannon added: “The recent demonstration at Tyndall of the world’s most advanced fibre-to-the-home network further strengthens Ireland’s leadership position in key areas of next-generation networks. We are now seeing the fruits of Government-funded, optoelectronic-carried research over the past 10 years.”
Emanuele Pelucchi, who leads the advanced semiconductor materials research at the Tyndall National Institute, said these materials are also expected to lead to new microscopic sources of light for future innovative applications in quantum communication and computing.
“The Photonics Ireland 2009 conference brings together all photonics research groups from North and South and covers key aspects such as photonic materials, photonic devices, nanophotonics and plasmonics, optical communication systems, quantum optics, laser material interactions, imaging and biophotonics,” according to David Cotter, Chair of Photonics Ireland 2009.
“Through a variety of mechanisms - SFI-funded Strategic Research Clusters (SRCs), Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs), and PRTLI-funded programmes – there is a high degree of collaboration across Ireland between the various research groups and, increasingly, with industry. New capabilities are being developed in the critical area of integration and packaging of photonics devices. Recently, increasing numbers of newly-trained PhDs have taken positions in the developing Irish photonics industry,” said Tom Boland, Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority.
Picture shows: Professor Frank Gannon, SFI with researcher Emanuele Pelucchi announcing his development of the world’s best semiconductor material, quantum dots.
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Addressing the conference, Director-General of Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Frank Gannon said “Ireland has developed a world-leading capability in creating new semiconductor materials for photonics. Scientists at Tyndall National Institute Cork have recently demonstrated the creation of ‘quantum dots’ (nanoscale semiconductor particles), representing a record four-fold improvement in the control of optical characteristics, over the best previously reported results. This progress was made possible by the leverage of Science Foundation Ireland-funded Principal Investigators and investment of the Higher Education Authority (HEA, under the PRTLI programme) in a state-of-the-art facility for growth of III-V semiconductor materials. These outstanding results are an example of the new capability to impact the development of photonic devices for telecoms and mass-market applications.”
Professor Gannon added: “The recent demonstration at Tyndall of the world’s most advanced fibre-to-the-home network further strengthens Ireland’s leadership position in key areas of next-generation networks. We are now seeing the fruits of Government-funded, optoelectronic-carried research over the past 10 years.”
Emanuele Pelucchi, who leads the advanced semiconductor materials research at the Tyndall National Institute, said these materials are also expected to lead to new microscopic sources of light for future innovative applications in quantum communication and computing.
“The Photonics Ireland 2009 conference brings together all photonics research groups from North and South and covers key aspects such as photonic materials, photonic devices, nanophotonics and plasmonics, optical communication systems, quantum optics, laser material interactions, imaging and biophotonics,” according to David Cotter, Chair of Photonics Ireland 2009.
“Through a variety of mechanisms - SFI-funded Strategic Research Clusters (SRCs), Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs), and PRTLI-funded programmes – there is a high degree of collaboration across Ireland between the various research groups and, increasingly, with industry. New capabilities are being developed in the critical area of integration and packaging of photonics devices. Recently, increasing numbers of newly-trained PhDs have taken positions in the developing Irish photonics industry,” said Tom Boland, Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority.
Picture shows: Professor Frank Gannon, SFI with researcher Emanuele Pelucchi announcing his development of the world’s best semiconductor material, quantum dots.
1139MMcS