The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) is a research institute located in Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain. ICFO was founded in 2002 by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya with the aim of becoming a leading international center in photonics research. The institute is currently home to over 400 scientists from more than 40 different countries.
ICFO’s research activities are organized into five main scientific divisions: Nano-Optics and Plasmonics, Quantum Information and Communication, Organic and Inorganic Optoelectronics, Biophotonics and Metrology. These divisions are further divided into 15 research groups. ICFO also hosts several facilities that provide state-of-the-art equipment and services to the institute’s researchers as well as external users.
Nano-Optics and Plasmonics Division
The Nano-Optics and Plasmonics Division studies light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. Research in this division focuses on the development of novel optical materials and nanostructures for applications in areas such as solar energy conversion, optoelectronics, sensing, nonlinear optics and quantum information processing. The division is also involved in the study of surface plasmons – collective oscillations of electrons at metal surfaces that can confine light to subwavelength dimensions – for applications such as ultrafast optics, single molecule detection and nanoantennas.
Quantum Information & Communication Division
Researchers in the Quantum Information & Communication Division explore ways to exploit quantum effects for information processing tasks such as secure communication, teleportation or simulation of complex systems. One focus of the division is on developing scalable quantum computing architectures based on trapped ions or superconducting circuits. Other ongoing projects include studying how photons can be used to securely distribute keys for cryptography purposes or developing new methods for high precision measurements required e.g., in gravitational wave detection experiments.
Organic & Inorganic Optoelectronics Division
The organic & Inorganic optoelectronics division studies both traditional semiconductor devices such as lasers diodes or solar cells as well innovative materials like perovskites or carbon nanotubes with potential application in fields ranging from renewable energy conversion to lighting technologies or data storage devices
Biophotonics Division
Researchers within ICFO’s Biophotonics Division develop new imaging techniques based on optical microscopy for applications in biomedical sciences such health monitoring or cancer diagnosis/treatment assessment.. Additionally, work is being done on developing photonic therapies exploiting near infrared radiation for cancer treatment or chronic pain management
Metrology Division
One focus of ICFO’s Metrology Division is providing calibration services for industry using some of Europe’s most precise measurement instruments . This work includes measuring standards for length , electrical current , laser power etc., which are then used by manufacturers to ensure their products meet specific quality criteria set by international organizations such as ISO . The division is also involved with developing new metrological methodsand tools For example they have contributed to advancements made possible through graphene metrology which has potential implicationsfor many industrial sectors including flexible electronics , semiconductors or advanced composite materials