On 25 April 2023, the Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials (CCPM) in the Department of Physics welcomed a seventeen-member delegation from the NATO Sensors and Electronics (SET) Panel Optical Technology Focus Group.

Arriving from a range of NATO countries, the visit was to share knowledge around photonic crystal fibres and fibre lasers. During the visit, the delegation attended a series of talks on the research in these areas that's currently taking place in the Centre; and a tour of facilities in building 3WN, including laboratories for optical fibre fabrication, fibre quantum technologies, fibre tapering and nanophotonics.

Professor Jonathan Knight, Director of the Centre, said: 'It was an honour to host this visit of NATO experts and to understand how we might support them in their work. They were very engaged with the research being done within the Centre and it was a great opportunity to showcase some of our activities. I am confident that we will be able to develop some of the contacts made during the afternoon to develop ideas for research of mutual interest.'

Professor Ventsislav Valev, Head of Physics, noted: 'It’s a tribute to the distinctive reputation of our research in photonics that the group chose to spend a few hours in our laboratories. I trust that they left with a clear idea not only of the research that we have done in the past, but also of our plans to build upon that research in the future.'

Professor Duncan Craig, Dean of the Faculty of Science added: 'It is intensely gratifying to see our colleagues in the Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials hosting this NATO delegation. It shows once again that the Centre not only produces outstanding research but is also an active contributor to the international community in this key area of photonic crystal fibres and fibre lasers.'