University wins Gentec-EO 2024 Laser Lab Award for excellence in photonics
Heriot-Watt’s reputation as a pioneer in photonics has been bolstered after winning a prestigious award.
It is one of only 12 institutions to receive the Gentec-EO 2024 Laser Lab Award due to a commitment made by the University's Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPAQS) to support the formation of the next generation photonic scientist and engineers.
Photonics is a branch of science and technology that harnesses the power of photon light particles. It plays a central role in a variety of applications across industries such as telecommunications, medicine, manufacturing, and computing.
Gentec-EO, a global leader in laser beam measurement systems, has been manufacturing precision instruments for over 50 years. The company's commitment to supporting educational institutions through initiatives like the Laser Lab Awards is helping to shape the future of photonics and quantum sciences.
This award recognises and support activities with the potential to make outstanding contributions to the formation of the next generation of photonics scientists and innovators.
The award includes a PRONTO-250-FLEX laser power meter, a state-of-the-art device capable of measuring laser powers from 0.5 W to 250 W and wavelengths from the visible to near-infrared range (248 nm to 2.5 µm). This advanced tool will play an important role in enhancing the hands-on learning experience for students.
Dr Marcello Ferrera, an eminent figure in the field of photonics and quantum sciences at Heriot-Watt University, said: "The PRONTO-250-FLEX will be a very valuable resource in our teaching labs, enabling students to engage directly with precision laser measurements a fundamental task in photonics research and industry."
The device will be integrated into several courses under Dr Ferrera's supervision, including his Nanophotonics course, and the MSc labs for the Applied Photonics programme.
Additionally, the PRONTO-250-FLEX will play a critical role in supporting final year projects, where students engage in real research activities. These projects often lead to significant achievements that are published in prestigious international journals.
In this way, the award will not only support cutting-edge research activities but also contribute to the professional development of students as they prepare for careers in academia and industry.
It is the latest high-profile accolade for the University in recognition of its expertise in the field of photonics. In 2022, Heriot-Watt won the UK’s highest honour in education, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for its research in photonics. This work has led to an extensive and sustained impact on societies across the world from the nanoscale of mobile phone circuitry to the macroscale of shipbuilding, while its optical fibre sensor applications range from medically critical measurements within human bodies to the monitoring of oil and gas reservoirs in the ocean floor.