Centre for Applied Photonics
Working in collaborative partnerships
Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board) is the UK Government agency which supports innovation. InnovateUK administers competitions for UK industry and supports and connects innovative businesses to accelerate sustainable economic growth.
As a not-for-profit Research and Technology Organisation, Fraunhofer CAP are ideally placed to assist UK companies in the application of innovative photonics technology.
Fraunhofer CAP is involved in wide ranging Innovate UK Projects, examples of which are:
- Very high power, ultrashort pulse micromaching (VIPUR)
- Supercontinuum sensing and imaging system (SUPERSIS)
- Mid-infrared contraband applications (MIRANDA)
- Low-cost, ultrafast laser sources for biological imaging
- Novel nacelle mounted LIDAR for lowering the cost of offshore wind energy
If you are interested in working together with Fraunhofer in an Innovate UK project please contact us and we would be happy to help develop collaborative projects and applications.
As an RTO we are obliged to disseminate the results of these projects, but with the caveat that it must be with the approval of the businesses involved to first protect IP, proprietary information and confidentiality. Where appropriate, and approved, we publish white papers, academic papers and make presentations on the technologies.
Whilst direct contracting with Fraunhofer gives you the flexibility to create a project precisely to meet your needs, InnovateUK supported projects are well suited:
- When a supply chain needs to be formed with innovation in more than one partner
- When the total costs are beyond the reach of one company
- The partners can each benefit from IP generated
- The technical and commercial drivers are strong, but the risk profile is too high for any single company to support
Our industrial project partners include:
AegiQ Ltd.
AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
ALTER TECHNOLOGY TUV NORD UK LTD
ALTRAN UK LIMITED
ANGOKA LIMITED
Arqit Ltd
Art Access and Research Limited
BAE SYSTEMS PLC
BAY PHOTONICS LTD
Blue Frog Design
BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
CALEDONIAN PHOTONICS LIMITED
Cascade Technologies Limited
COHERENT SCOTLAND LIMITED
COLDQUANTA UK LIMITED
COVESION LIMITED
Elforlight Limited
GEOMATRIX EARTH SCIENCE LIMITED
GOOCH & HOUSEGO (TORQUAY) LIMITED
GROBOTIC SYSTEMS LIMITED
HELIA PHOTONICS LIMITED
INEX MICROTECHNOLOGY LIMITED
IS-INSTRUMENTS LIMITED
M Squared Lasers Limited
MAGNETIC SHIELDS LIMITED
NU QUANTUM LTD
OCEAN OPTICS B.V.
OLDBAUM SERVICES LIMITED
Oncolytika Ltd
OPENLIGHTCOMM LTD
Optocap Limited
OPTOSCRIBE LIMITED
ORCA Computing Ltd.
PA CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED
PHOTON FORCE LTD
POWERPHOTONIC LIMITED
PROCTER & GAMBLE TECHNICAL CENTRES LIMITED
QINETIQ LIMITED
REDWAVE LABS LTD
RENEWABLE ADVICE LTD
RSK ENVIRONMENT LIMITED
SENSOR-WORKS LTD
SGURRENERGY LIMITED
SILICON MICROGRAVITY LIMITED
Synaptec Limited
Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) Limited
TELEDYNE E2V (UK) LIMITED
THALES UK LIMITED
TMD TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
TOPGAN QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
TOSHIBA EUROPE LIMITED
TRIPLE LIDAR TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
UNIKLASERS LTD.
UNITIVE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS LTD
WIDEBLUE LIMITED
WIND FARM ANALYTICS LTD
Our academic partners in Innovate UK include:
De Montfort University
Durham University
Heriot-Watt University
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of Edinburgh
University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of Strathclyde
University of Warwick
University of York
Our RTO partners in Innovate UK supported projects include:
CSA Catapult Ltd
CPI Innovation Services Ltd
National Institute for Biological Standards and Control
NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED
STC Research Foundation
STFC - Laboratories
The European Marine Energy Centre Ltd
Some examples of our InnovateUK projects:
UniKLasers Ltd
Praseodymium Laser Architecture Investigation and Demonstrator (PLAID)
It is difficult to overestimate the impact of electronic computers on modern society - and yet, just a few decades ago, computer technology was a creature of the research laboratory due to their enormous complexity, power requirement, and cost. The uptake of such technology by wider, non-specialist society was only possible once improvements in the size, cost and performance of the subsystems upon which computers depend had been realised. Quantum technology finds itself at a similar junction. These systems are now a reality and hold enormous potential to revolutionise our lives, but they are only found in research laboratories because they depend upon very expensive, very large laser systems. In this project, we will reduce the size and cost of these critical components enormously, without losing performance, in order to place the UK at the vanguard of QT development and commercialisation.
Quantum Technologies hold great promise to bring a step-change improvement to a diverse range of high-impact applications, such as ultra-stable clocks for financial transaction time stamping and satellite-free navigation, medical imaging, oil and gas prospecting, and ultra-secure communications. Whilst the scientific principles upon which these technologies rely are now largely proven, the subsystems (in particular, laser systems) upon which they depend are excessively large, expensive and power-hungry. In this project, we will develop a laser platform, critically required by QT systems, which will match the optical performance of the Ti:S laser in a footprint and price point comparable to the external-cavity diode laser (ECDL). We will demonstrate that such a platform can operate on many otherwise difficult-to-access but crucial lines. Such a development will be a critical step on the road to the translation of QT from the research community to the defence, space and consumer market.
GraTi:S - Graphene for Titanium Sapphire Lasers
325258
The UK has not yet realised the potential of the breakthroughs in Graphene. This high-risk feasibility project aims to pave the way for the UK’s first flagship graphene-enabled product, a high-value ultrafast laser system for a variety of applications. This brings together two world leading organisations, Coherent Scotland and Fraunhofer UK to deliver a graphene subsystem which will to give greater functionality and reduced cost, enabling broader use and uptake of a headline export success for the UK. This will underpin and extend high-value employment lead to social and health benefits. Whilst early results in graphene suggest it has potential in optical applications, we propose to use it to provide a world first and leading product breakthrough.
INHERIt: INtelligent HypERspectral Imaging
312253
Imaging of artwork is an important aspect of art conservation, technical art history, and art authentication. Many forms of near-infrared (NIR) imaging are currently used by conservators, archeologists, forensic scientists and technical art historians to examine the under-drawings of paintings, to detect damage and restorations, to enhance faded or over-painted inscriptions, to study artists’ techniques, to examine questioned documents, and as a non-destructive analytical tool for identifying certain pigments. We propose using an infrared optical parametric oscillator (a very broadly tunable source of mid-infrared light with exceptional spectral purity) to explore oil, acrylic and water colour paintings, specifically to realise an automated system than can scan in an artwork and detrmine its authenticity. Once proven in this challenging application, the technology we will develop will find utility in a range of diverse, impactful and timely end use applications in the wider fields of imaging for security, chemical sensing and environmental monitoring.
MIRANDA: Mid-InfraRed contrabAND Applications
253178
A compact continuous wave (CW) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) capable of tuning over key absorption features in the infrared (IR) is a highly desirable tool for spectroscopy of key atmospheric pollutants, narcotics and explosives. A system that can combine very broad coarse tuneability with smoothly tunable, narrow-linewidth radiation enables the detection and identification of a diverse range of substances with exceptional precision. Fitting the OPO into a single, adjustment-free and highly compact box makes it very attractive for applications both inside and, crucially outside of laboratory conditions. M Squared Lasers already manufacture a pulsed (broad linewidth) OPO, which is a compact broadly tunable source, and have combined this with their scanning system in order to produce hyperspectral images. The challenge is to produce significantly narrower linewidth by making a CW OPO. The project presents a disruptive change in this field, credible market potential and will address the needs of a wide range of important and timely applications.
Mid Infrared Gas Sensing and Imaging System (MIG-SIS)
253227
MIG-SIS project will develop and demonstrate 2um pump laser sources optimised for the optical parametric amplification (OPA) of chirped Quantum Cascade (QC) Lasers for sensing and imaging applications. QC Laser stand-off trace gas detection is currently limited by the watt level peak power they emit. As a consequence (and dependant upon the particular detection scheme) range is restricted to ~1’s – 10’s metres.
The primary technical motivator of this project is therefore to extend the range of QC Laser based active stand-off gas detection system through a significant increase in its illumination and range capabilities via the use of an OPA. This project will focus on combining 2 different photon generation mechanisms: non-linear optics (Q-switched solid state-laser pumped OPAs) and direct generation (QC Lasers).
Low-cost, Ultrafast Laser Sources for Biological Imaging (aka LowCost)
197189
The microscope market was 2.7bn in 2011 and is expected to increase to nearly 3.4 billion in 2016. Multi-photon excitation (MPE) microscopy is the imaging workhorse of life science laboratories. An ultrafast laser is at the core of any MPE microscope and the state of the art for this is the Ti:Sapphire laser. While its output properties are highly desirable for MPE, its optical pump lasers are based on a complex, multi-stage wavelength conversion process, making Ti:Sapphire very expensive (£150k) and often impractical. This project will address these shortcomings by developing a low-cost laser for biomedical imaging. This will be achieved by leveraging recent advances in gallium nitride diode lasers emitting at 450nm (originally motivated by multimedia projection applications). Crucially, this laser will be suitable for OEM integration into microscope systems opening up new markets in comparison to status-quo where microscope and laser are discrete systems. The feasibility of this project has already been proven by means of a TSB feasibility study and an EPSRC KTA programme. This project forms an essential final step before commercialisation of the technology.
Novel Nacelle Mounted LIDAR for Lowering The Cost of Offshore Wind Energy
191221
This study will determine the feasibility of producing significant improvements in productivity and reliability, and as a consequence, reductions in LCoE and increased revenue, in OWE generation. Innovative nacelle mounted LIDAR techniques which deliver high value at low cost will be identified and developed. Technical solutions and innovation will be informed and enabled by rigorous analysis of newly acquired detailed wind in-flow data to determine the most effective measurements by which to make critical wind turbine control decisions to increase productivity, and reduce maintenance by enabling ride-through of otherwise damaging wind conditions. The project will produce innovation in LIDAR systems aimed at accelerating their adoption and greatly increasing their RoI. Key outputs will be a robust economic analysis, business case and technical route to implementation of a system level design
System development of novel CW OPO for hyperspectral imaging and sensing (aka SYNOPOSIS)
119320
SYNOPOSIS will develop an active, long-wave mid-infrared (LWIR) imaging system capable of catering for a wide range of applications including the detection of explosives, oil and gas prospecting and medical diagnostics. To date, active imaging systems operate mostly in the short-wave mid-infrared spectral region. Moving the technology to longer wavelength will enable access to the so-called molecular fingerprint region where the interaction with light and molecules is significantly stronger, therefore enabling higher sensitivity and specificity. The limiting factor in the context of LWIR active imaging technology has so far been the availability of practical LWIR light sources. SYNOPOSIS will address this issue by advancing the continuous-wave, intracavity-pumped, optical parametric oscillator into the LWIR by employing novel nonlinear materials such as orientation-patterned gallium arsenide and zinc germanium diphosphide
High peak power ultrafast OPSLs for microscopy - HiPPOs
119365
Multiphoton Microscopy is a key imaging technique in the biological sciences, enabling high resolution imaging at depths unobtainable via alternative imaging techniques. Currently, the lasers used as excitation sources are complex and therefore somewhat costly, therefore there is a requirement to identify alternate excitation sources. This project will investigate the applicability of innovative laser sources to Multiphoton Microscopy and explore ways of tailoring such sources to enable optimal imaging performance, bringing this unique imaging modality to a wider market.
Steered LIDAR Resource Performance and Condition Monitoring For Optimising Offshore Wind Infrastructure (aka NITEOWL)
288171
This project seeks to take a new LIDAR system from construction of field demonstrator through to installation on wind farm and environmental test for marine ruggedisation. The programmable scanning LIDAR under development will bring a step change in LIDAR measurement capability and enable wind farm operators to really know the wind profile that is hitting their turbine, rather than being kept ignorant by unrepresentative hub height measurements. A number of innovative steps will be employed in order to improve accuracy and capability. This will enable the total farm output to be forecast from seconds to minutes ahead, thus enabling truly flexible grid resource planning. The system will also offer savings by reducing infrastructure failure rates. This will be achieved by augmenting condition monitoring systems with detailed mapping of the incident wind vector field. As an added bonus the system will highlight yaw misalignment. The system will assist wind turbine parameter tuning so that wind turbine may be set up like a race car for the relevant operating conditions.