The Applied Optics Group (AOG) develops new optical technologies for imaging and sensing, with applications across healthcare, science, and industry. Our research combines photonics, engineering, computation, and clinical collaboration to create new tools for understanding and diagnosing disease and solving imaging challenges.
We are part of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics at the University of Kent. Based in the University of Kent’s Photonics Centre on the Canterbury Campus, we have a long track record of innovation in biomedical optics, particularly in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and related technologies.
Research
There is a long history of research in biomedical optics in the AOG; the group was the first to acquire en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images from the retina and we developed the first combined optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscope (OCT/SLO). Our current research projects include advanced OCT imaging systems, endoscopic imaging, holographic microscopy and photoacoustic imaging.
Technology developed within the AOG has been protected by 17 patents and reported in over 150 journal papers and conference presentations. We have been supported by over £10M in funding in the last few years, from sources including the UKRI, NIHR, the EU, the Royal Society and industry. We have extensive facilities for optical development work, and we collaborate extensively with clinicians and industry around the world to translate our work.
Joining Us
Join us in Canterbury and help develop the next generation of imaging technologies. For MSc and PhD projects and postdoc vacancies, please see our joining page. We can also support fellowship applications for researchers who have ambitious research plans relevant to our work.
