Skills and capabilities

OptoFab is a node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) which offers advanced manufacturing services.

Specialist facilities and skills available include:

• diamond growth
• laser inscription of photonic devices
• laser micromachining and processing
• photolithography
• speciality optical fibre production
• speciality optical materials manufacturing.

In situ materials identification, security scanning and medical diagnostics are all applications of spectroscopy. By combining advanced techniques with application-specific excitation wavelengths, solutions can be created to identify almost any material under any conditions.

We have capabilities in:

• calibration
• counter-terrorism
• high-resolution spectroscopy
• material detection/identification
• medical and diagnostics.

High-power laser technologies have a broad range of applications, including free-space communication, surgical tools, and space debris monitoring. Our researchers are able to build these technologies by various methods and are able to generate directed energy at various wavelengths.

We have capabilities in:

• blue lasers
• fibre lasers
• high-power lasers
• near-IR/mid-IR lasers
• yellow lasers.

Many properties of materials are reliant on shaping the material into the desired form. Investments in infrastructure have enabled our researchers to build these skills for basic and applied research.

We have capabilities in:

• 3D photonic waveguide writing
• carbon fibre reinforced plastic adhesion
• diamond surface electronics
• microfluidic and nanofluidic design
• polymer welding.

Nanoparticles can be used for creating unique spectral properties, which we most strongly link to use in medical research. However, nanoparticle applications are far wider-reaching, with uses in agriculture and security. Our researchers can design bespoke nanoparticles for any purpose.

We have capabilities in:

• biomedical imaging
• medical diagnostics
• security applications.

The renewable energy sector is growing and, with it, the demand for more efficient solar cells. This drives our research and our industry collaborations, which contribute to a greener future.

We have capabilities in:

• anti-reflection and light-trapping designs
• optical characterisation and processing.

Conducting research at the interface of quantum physics and engineering, our quantum researchers work to translate new discoveries towards real-world technologies. Diamond is the material of choice for these applications, providing unique room-temperature quantum characteristics.

We have capabilities in:

• diamond, nanomaterial
• ultra-high resolution sensing (magnetic fields, vibrations).

The ability to conduct measurements by all-optical, non-contact methods is an important step advancing many industries. Our research directions are informed by the technological challenges of our industry partners.

We have capabilities in:

• gas detection/identification
• water profiling (temperature, salinity, early algal detection).