Formed in 1989 as an interdisciplinary research centre, the Optoelectronics Research Centre is one of the world’s leading institutes for photonics research.
Professor Sir David Payne
We have a vibrant community of PhD students and researchers, led by some of the leading figures in the field of photonics.
We have contributed significantly to the remarkable growth of the photonics industry, including the optical telecommunication technology that underpins the internet as well as many solutions in medicine, biosciences sensing, security and manufacturing.
Professor Sir David Neil Payne CBE FRS FREng is a leading Professor at the University of Southampton and Director of the Optoelectronics Research Centre.
A world class pioneer of technology, his work has had a great impact on telecommunications and laser technology over the last forty years.
We have very strong links with local, national and international industries, and collaborate with many other university groups as well as other departments within the University of Southampton.
In 2014 the ORC opened The Photonics Institute with collaborators at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, further establishing the ORC as global leaders in the field. Closer to home, our staff are encouraged to pursue industrial links and entrepreneurial activity.
To date the ORC has produced three highly-successful spin-offs contributing not only to scientific progress but the wider economic success of the local economy.
