Our research

Through strong collaboration with the Advanced Australian Observatory (AAO), the centre aims to develop powerful instrumentation for some of the most challenging tasks in modern astronomy, like finding new planets.

Research activities 

We have developed ingenious integrated photonic systems for use in the next generation of large optical telescopes operating in the visible through to the mid infrared. We use photonics to replace the large, complex spectroscopic and other instrumentation behind the prime focus of the telescope with an integrated photonic chip.

Research activities under the Astrophotonics banner include:

• exo-planet hunting
• high resolution spectrographs
• integrated spectrographs
• mid IR astrophotonics.

We use world-leading design and fabrication techniques to create optical waveguides, thin films and nano-powders.

Research activities

The interaction of optical structures with light gives us insight not just into fundamental optical physics but also into novel ways in which these structures might be used, with applications including optical communications and the detection of single molecules. This fundamental knowledge enables us to engineer these optical materials for specific applications.

Projects include:

• advanced semiconductor materials and applications
• engineered fluorescent nanoparticles.

The US National Academy of Engineering counts lasers and optical fiber technology as one of the 20 great achievements of the 20th century. MQ Photonics is an international leader in the development of new lasers and photonic sources for science and engineering applications in the 21st century.

Research activities 

This traditional strength of Macquarie Photonics, and the earlier Centre for Lasers and Applications, is a field of research in its own right and an underpinning capability for other research banners.

Research activities under this banner in MQ Photonics include:

• Raman lasers and applications
• diamond: Raman lasers and optical-engineering
• mid IR and high power fibre lasers
• novel waveguide lasers
• optical trapping and levitation
• laser microfabrication.

We draw on expertise within Macquarie in biomedical engineering, photonic science and technology, and health and life sciences professionals at the University-owned Macquarie Hospital to conduct translational research leading to:

• biomedical instrumentation
• bio-optical engineering and diagnostics
• photonic solutions for health care.

Research activities 

This translational research is underpinned by fundamental investigations in biophotonics and neurophotonics.

Under this banner MQ Photonics has activities in:

• advanced cytometry
• advanced microscopy, sensing and imaging.

Photonics is the cornerstone of techniques for sensing and measuring environmental pollutants from industrial processes, trace minerals in soils, and a host of other difficult-to-measure quantities. The information from these techniques guides environmental management practices and helps secure food and water quality. For example, we produce sensing chips for specific applications.

Research activities 

Photonics leads the way towards more energy-efficient technologies that will help replace the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels. Examples of such ‘green photonics’ include:

• light-harvesting technologies for solar cells
• solar photovoltaics
• the white LED (whose inventors were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2014), which dramatically reduces electricity consumption for lighting.

MQ Photonics has projects of environmental significance in the following areas:

• high resolution molecular spectroscopy
• photonic sensing of marine environments.

In quantum photonics, we produce, transmit and detect single photons. The quantum descriptors of each photon change when measured so quantum science combined with photonics offers a key to the secure communication of information.

Our experiments using single photons can test fundamental concepts, building on our expertise in sources for generation of single photons, and waveguide technology that enables these photons to be tightly controlled.

Research activities

Our research activities in the exciting field of quantum photonics include:

• single-photon metrology
• single-photon sources
• stimulated Brillouin scattering and opto-mechanics.