The Photonics and Optical Engineering Group has an established strong research track record in both fundamental theoretical aspects as well as the more applied aspects of optics and photonics. Some of the key areas of expertise include optical encryption, refractive melted microlens arrays, holographic materials, holographic optical elements, holographic data storage, solar light concentrators, biomimetic energy conversion and dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), optical metrology including confocal microscopy and holographic interferometry as well as biomedical optical systems. The group also has published widely on the topics of speckle, digital holographic imaging systems and numerical reconstruction algorithms. A number of university spinout companies have been formed as a direct result of the group’s applied research portfolio.
The RF and Microwave Group operate a state-of-the-art laboratory investigating challenges associated with the design to characterisation of Power Amplifiers. The group’s overarching research goal is to better understand and in turn incorporate better efficiencies into the design of high power and high frequency power amplifiers. The group has developed specialised in-house software systems to simulate these highly non-linear networks. Another active area of research in the RF and Microwave Group is the goal of improving transmission efficiencies of next generation mobile communications. This is achieved by applying theoretical and experimental methods associated with Digital Pre-Distortion, a form of linearisation for power amplifier modelling.
Complimentary skillsets exist between the Photonics & Optical Engineering and the Radio Frequency & Microwave Engineering groups at University College Dublin for high frequency THz imaging techniques.
Link to Optical Engineering Group and RF and Microwave Engineering Group at NUID UCD website