If photonics is to meet the needs of a new generation of applications, problems will need to be addressed through better design and modelling. The EU-funded ADOPSYS project approached this challenge as much with a skills-based answer, as a technical one.
Currently the field of photonics suffers from a lack of broad expertise in applied modelling and design for industrial optical systems and components. This results in successful work being somewhat at the mercy of trial and error approaches, making it time-consuming and laborious.
The EU-funded ADOPSYS project has contributed to this shortcoming by developing new disruptive tools, including a new method for simulating and designing optical systems for both imaging and lighting systems. To sustain efforts, the project also facilitated specialist training, combining research with hands-on learning, for the next generation of highly skilled optical scientists.
More information on the project of Prof. Paul Urbach and his team can be found here.