News archive

17 January 2018
Scientists to test one of the fundamental laws of physics
Atom particle
Experts from the University of Southampton, Queen’s University Belfast and UCL have formed a consortium with European universities and British photonics technology company M Squared to test the limits of quantum theory.The consortium will test one of the core principles of quantum mechanics – the physical laws that allow microscopic particles, such as atoms and electrons, to be in two places at once. The groundbreaking experiment hopes to investigate what prevents these principles being...
18 December 2017
ORC to lead £6.1m research programme for the next generation of optical fibres
Holey fibre - Photonic Bandgap Fibre
The University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is to lead a £6.1m EPSRC-funded programme to develop the next generation of fibre optics and position the UK as a world-leader in this technology.Bringing together expertise from Southampton’s ORC, and over 25 research organisations and industry partners, the new AirGuide Photonics programme will transform future fibre networks and generate enormous potential for a multitude of uses ranging from...
15 December 2017
What happens when you mix science with politics?
Dr Katrina Morgan
Copyright: Dr Katrina Morgan
Related Links:
• Blog by Dr Katrina Morgan - A Woman in Science
Excerpts from a blog by the ORC's Dr Katrina Morgan on her week in Westminster, taking part in The Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2017, which aims to “build bridges between parliamentarians, civil servants and some of the best research scientists in the UK."This was one of the most eye-...
08 December 2017
ORC group recognised in awards ceremony
SEPnet award
Copyright: Paul Stead Photography
Related Links:
• Reflecting Photonics garden
• SEPnet Public Engagement Awards
• Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics Group
Professor Peter Smith's Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics Group was recognised at the recent South East Physics Network (SEPnet) Public Engagement Awards as a Highly Commended Group...
06 December 2017
Study shows glass surfaces retain memory
Fibre pull showing the roughness of a glass surface
Related Links:
• Anisotropic super-attenuation of capillary waves on driven glass interfaces, Physical Review Letters
• ModeGap
A study published today has revealed that glass surfaces can retain a memory of the direction of flow of the glass in its past liquid state.This surprising conclusion is the result of a collaboration between scientists from the...
04 December 2017
ORC Professor named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Professor James Wilkinson
Related Links:
• Professor James Wilkinson
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Head of Integrated Photonic Devices, Professor James Wilkinson, from the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton has been named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for his contributions to integrated photonics...

The Zepler Institute is a community of researchers from the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, Electronics and Electrical Engineering Group, Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology Group and Quantum Light and Matter Group