Previous C&P Functions and Events

2006: Opening of the new Centre of Expertise in Photonics

Wednesday 31 May 2006 marked the official launch of the Centre of Expertise in Photonics with over 100 invited guests attending a special function in the School of Chemistry & Physics Seminar room in the Physics Building.

Founded in early 2005, the Centre of Expertise in Photonics is a world leading research centre focused on the design, fabrication, development and application of soft glass microstructured optical fibres.

Over the past 12 months the Centre has grown from nil to 20 people. Of the current 9 staff, 3 are female, demonstrating that women can enjoy working in the area of physics and can excel in this area.

The Centre was established under a strategic alliance between the DSTO and the University of Adelaide, with research collaboration as a key component of the alliance. Support has also been provided by the South Australian government. The Centre works closely with DSTO to develop new classes of optical fibre for defence applications. The Centre also works with a range of companies to develop fibre-based solutions for industry.

State of-the-art facilities have recently been installed in the Centre and for the first time we are able to make new types of glass. The internationally unique facility allows for extruding these glasses into complex structures and drawing these structures into optical fibres. The installation of these facilities enables the Centre to do work that leading internationally and will give South Australia an industrial advantage, especially in the area of defence contracts. The Centre enables Australia to lead the rest of the world in a new area of defence technology and has given Australia the lead in a critical niche field.