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Opening of the 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.

Professor Monro juggles her work commitments whilst raising her two-year-old son James and newly born twins, Alexander and Benjamin, with husband David.

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South Australia lights the way in Photonics

A new Adelaide-based Centre of Expertise in Photonics, incorporating state-of-the-art facilities, opened today at the University of Adelaide. The Centre is a joint venture between the University and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), with support from the State Government and aims to boost Australia's ability in photonics.

Photonics is the science and technology that allows the generation and control of light ranging from the visible to the mid infra-red spectrum. The Director of the Centre, Professor Tanya Monro, said "we are working on the design, fabrication, development and applications of a new class of optical fibres - soft glass microstructured optical fibres".

These new optical fibres will enable many new applications including sensing, optical data processing, biophotonics and defence. The recently installed laboratories at the University "are the first soft glass microstructured fibre fabrication facilities to be established within Australia, and the Centre is now positioned to do work that is internationally leading in this area", said Professor Monro.

The Centre will support defence projects that are increasingly reliant on advances in photonics. Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Information) Mr Neil Bryans said "scientific expertise in photonics is fundamental to the development of many modern defence systems including communications, radar , electronic warfare and sensing."

"Photonic technologies and their applications underpin a number of key DSTO research programs also in addition to having potential commercial applications," Mr Bryans said. "The Centre is a strategic initiative to build Australia's defence and industry sector photonic capability. Soft glass microstructured fibres promise the transport and generation of light in the mid-infrared spectrum, with key applications in countermeasures for aircraft. Microstructured optical fibre has potential in high sensitivity detection of biological and chemical agents.

South Australia already has a significant industry capability in electronic warfare with in excess of 650 people from industry, DSTO and Defence engaged in development and support activities. With the development of optical fibres, the opportunity exists to grow a new photonics industry from companies and organisations within the State's existing electronic warfare industry base.

The Centre is also a mechanism to attract students to the study of photonics Combined with the launch of the Centre were the inaugural awards of DSTO-funded undergraduate scholarships for students enrolled in the University's Bachelor of Science degree in Optics and Photonics.

DSTO funding support to the Centre includes $400,000 for initial infrastructure establishment and ongoing funding of $400,000 per year for up to 5 years, to support the University's Chair in Photonics, and two post doctoral research fellows . In addition, the DSTO has supported a range of research tasks within the Centre which to date in excess of $1m. The South Australian Government has contributed over $400,000 to the centre from the Premier's Science and Research Fund and from the State Government Defence Unit to help foster growth in South Australia's education and defence electronics industry. The Minister for Science and Information Economy, Karlene Maywald said "that the Centre will strengthen South Australia's chance of winning and maintaining future defence contracts."

The University's Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said "the Centre exemplifies how the University if forging new and valuable partnerships which aim to lead the nation in new and exciting fields of technology and research as well as providing students with a rewarding opportunity to be part of this new evolving world".

Logos x 3 Adelaide University; DSTO; & State Govt of South Australia

Photos from the opening:

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