The world’s most accurate ruler, called the optical frequency comb, has revolutionised the measurement of time and space – in fact we use this technology every day as it runs the GPS in our smartphones.
However, today’s optical frequency combs are large, expensive and complex and remain trapped in specialist laboratories. The extraordinary potential of the optical frequency comb remains largely untapped.
We are making optical frequency combs as inexpensive, readily available and accessible as today’s consumer electronics enabling the hunt for earth-like planets, increased internet data speeds, rapid greenhouse gas measurement and more accurate mapping of our earthquake prone areas.
What is an optical frequency comb?
A device capable of translating electronic signals into light waves.
It was first invented at the end of the 20th century and enabled the most precise measurement the world had ever seen, allowing research that transformed satellite global positioning, and the exploration of distant suns.
Our research areas
Microcomb Science and Technology
Understand new optical physics for generating combs, structures and materials
Spectroscopy and Microscopy
Better understand living organisms and complex gases
Information and Intelligence
Advance record-breaking internet transmission for rapid brain-like machine learning
Sensing and Measurement
Create compact robust atomic clocks for structural monitoring and mapping of geological features
Astrocombs
Deliver new calibration standards for astronomical spectrographs to search for planets in other solar systems
Our vision
Optical frequency combs will be as cheap, readily available and accessible as today’s consumer electronics, and will enable breakthrough science and industrial transformation for broad societal impact.
Latest news
Cosmos article: ‘Combing your breath’: next step in medical diagnostics is closer
Imagine standing in your kitchen at home, feeling a little off colour. You grab a handheld device from the medicine cabinet and breathe into it, looking for an instant diagnosis of whatever you’re coming down with.
With our combs technology, this may one day become a reality.
Celebrating our women at COMBS
From using our fibre networks to monitor earthquakes, making optical fibres in space, and using laser light to detect diseases from our breath before there are any symptoms – this International Women’s Day we are celebrating the terrific researchers in our Centre of Excellence.
A technological revolution is coming: will we be ready?
For some time now, no single application has needed light-filled chips enough to justify the massive investment to make them an industrial reality.
Until now.
International Day of Light: What could life be like in the year 2031?
Health diagnostic devices based on our breath, drones that detect when fruit is ripe, and an alternative to GPS – find out what real-world impact our researchers think our COMBS Centre of Excellence could have in the next seven years.
Our projects
Our team is working on a variety of projects spanning fundamental physics, astronomy, sensing and measurement, information and intelligence, and spectroscopy and microscopy.
Our team
Our team brings together a team of multi-disciplinary researchers spanning optical physics, photonic chip technology, materials science, and sophisticated digital and microwave electronics from eight universities.
Do you want to be a part of our Centre?
We are currently recruiting for PhD students
and Postdoctoral Researchers.
