CUT

The Nanophotonics Research Laboratory (NPRL) representing CUT in PHOSFOS was created in December 2004 as a result of competitive infrastructure funding to form new research units. It is the only laboratory in Cyprus dedicated to work in nano-photonics. The main competencies of the laboratory are in laser-material interactions in glassy and polymeric materials, with a focus on producing novel optical devices in planar or fibre waveguides with photonics related applications. There is particular interest in optical sensors, e.g. chemical and biosensors, vectorial (multi-core structures) and birefringent sensors (temperature and pressure), solid core- and PCF-based Bragg and long period grating sensors. Our immediate research activity has focussed on the use of femtosecond lasers to inscribe waveguides, micro-channels and grating structures in 2D structures and fibres. The NPRL is equipped with a state-of-the-art regeneratively amplified, variable repetition rate femtosecond laser system operating at 1035 and 517nm; industrial excimer laser system operating at 248nm and 0.5 MEuro of sundry equipment, including spectrum analysers, optical microscope and high resolution multiple axis translation stage systems. This laboratory was first established within the Higher Technical Institute in Cyprus, but has recently been transferred to CUT .