Applied Optics and Photonics
Our research explores the application of lasers and optics for a range of material processing, optical metrology, and sensing applications. The applied nature of our work means that we work closely with industry as well as other UK and International research groups.
Current Research Themes:
Manufacturing
Surgical Applications
Fibre Optic Sensing
The PROBLEM, the LASER and the SOLUTION
An exclusive Heriot Watt comic produced in collaboration with Dekko Comics Ltd illustrating the challenges around the surgical treatment of cancer and how ultrashort pulsed lasers may provide a solution for improved surgical precision and better outcomes. Explore the comic to find out Prof Shephard’s novel and exciting way of trying to solve the ”Surgeon’s Dilemma”!
Podcast
Professor Jon Shephard and Consultant Neurosurgeon, Mr Ryan Mathew from Leeds Teaching Hospital, discuss an exciting partnership between academia and the NHS using lasers to provide greater precision in the treatment of brain tumours.