The Photon Science Section at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ celebrated the 100th anniversary of Optics at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ with a programme of lectures by distinguished speakers, demonstrations, displays, and evening reception.
With the formation of the Department of Technical Optics in 1917, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is the oldest institution of higher education and research in Optics not just in the UK but in the world! We celebrate our proud History of Optics at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ as well as the vibrant optics-based applied and fundamental research currently being pursued. This event will take a look both at the history, legacy and world-impact of Optics at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and also forwards to the current and future directions of Optics.
The Department of Technical Optics was formed to address the shortage of optical engineers required by industry. The appointment of A. E. Conrady as Professor of Optical Design in July 1917 led to the first courses in optics at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ during that year; Undergraduate courses started in 1918 and Postgraduate courses in 1919. In 1931 the name of the department changed to the Technical Optics Section and officially became part of the Physics Department. In 1973 the arrival of Professor D. J. Bradley and his group at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ founded world-renowned research programmes in optical and laser physics and doubled the size of the Optics Section.
The Optics Section (recently renamed as the Photon Science Section) at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ College continues as the largest university institution optics centre in the UK, with research activities covering virtually the whole of optics, from applied optical systems to quantum optics. Find out more about the history of the Optics Section.
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