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An international leader in use-inspired research

Our research activities are strategically focused to ensure academic excellence is combined with strong industrial engagement.

Our key objective is to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications and development in the area of photonics.

optics bench

Our research

Photonics laser

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Setting up a laser rig

Our staff

Setting up a micro LED array

About us

Diamond laser

Working with industry

ICP etch tool in TIC cleanroom

Semiconductor microfabrication facilities

News and announcements

Long-serving IoP staff member recognised by prestigious Strathclyde Medal

Dr Ian Watson, one of the originally appointed Research Team Leaders in the Institute, who joined in 1998, has been recognised for his distinguished and exemplary service to the University of Strathclyde over the past 25 years. In a dedicated ceremony on 17th November, hosted by the University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Ian was one of only 16 staff from across the University to have his contributions recognised by award of an Individual Strathclyde Medal. Ian has been a remarkable colleague to all those who have been privileged to work with him. He has unique expertise in compound semiconductors and all aspects of microfabrication and he has underpinned the Institute’s broad range of work across all areas of optoelectronic materials and devices. His thoroughness and dedication in all aspects of his work, and his loyalty to and support of his colleagues, have been evident throughout all his time at Strathclyde. Many congratulations, Ian!
Strathclyde awarded Queen's Anniversary Prize for photonics innovation

Announced at a reception in St James’ Palace, the award celebrates our internationally recognised photonics ecosystem which has been developed over more than three decades.
Professor Jennifer Hastie elected Optica Fellow

Institute of Photonics Director Professor Jennifer Hastie has just been elected Optica Fellow “For leadership in the photonics and quantum technology community and pioneering technical contributions in the area of narrow-linewidth lasers.”
Dr. Jonathan McKendry and Dr. Graeme Johnstone appear in a short YouTube video produced by The UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging (QuantIC).

Dr Jonathan McKendry and Dr Graeme Johnstone appear in a short YouTube video produced by The UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging (QuantIC). The video, which can be viewed here, showcases our flagship Micro LED array called “MegaProjector”, which is capable displaying more than half a million frames per second and can be used for a variety of applications including Single Pixel Imaging, Optical Communication and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. QuantIC brings together industry and academia in a collaborative project to revolutionise imaging across industrial, scientific and consumer markets, with the Institute of Photonics being one of eight academic partner institutions.
IoP researcher wins award at ESLW 2023

The 2023 European Semiconductor Laser Workshop (ESLW), hosted by the University of Glasgow, this year awarded the best oral presentation to Dr. Joshua Robertson, a member of the Institute's Neuromorphic and Nanophotonics group. Dr. Robertson presented his research of the development of photonic Spiking Neural Networks with Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers for the fast and efficient processing of classification tasks.
Dr. Charlotte Eling awarded IPC Travel Grant

Dr. Charlotte Eling was awarded an IEEE Women in Photonics travel grant for this years' IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC) taking place from 12-16 November 2023 in Orlando, Florida. The travel grant was awarded by the IEEE photonics society to women within the field that have contributed to outreach aimed at encouraging more young women to pursue a career in photonics. The travel grant encourages young professionals from a minority background to take part in the conference
£4.7M consortium to accelerate growth of Scotland’s photonics sector

The Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow are leading a new consortium which has won £4.7M in funding to support the tripling of the photonics sector across Scotland’s central belt. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UKRI, announced that the consortium is one of 10 established industrial clusters across the UK which have received funding from the Place Based Impact Acceleration Accounts. Professor Jennifer Hastie, Director of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics, and the consortium’s deputy principal investigator, said: “We have fantastic photonics capability in the central belt of Scotland, at universities and in industry, and an innovative, world-leading research cohort, yet in many ways it’s a ‘hidden economy’ of which we want to increase awareness, particularly among the next generation, and this new consortium will be ideally placed to achieve this."
News Archive

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New technology — New technology to detect sight-threatening disease

Scientists at the University of Strathclyde are involved in research – boosted by new funding – into technology to detect early visual loss in people with long-term conditions.

We've 12 photonics laboratories and a clean room microfabrication facility, totalling over 1000m²

We're part of the Technology & Innovation Centre, working together on photonic solutions

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