University of St Andrews – Synthetic Optics Group

The Synthetic Optics group, led by Prof. Andrea Di Falco, develops adaptable and reconfigurable platforms to control light at the nanoscale in space and time with high precision and flexibility. We bring over 20 years of internationally recognised expertise in the design, fabrication, and characterisation of nanophotonic devices. Our work combines advanced cleanroom nanofabrication, state-of-the-art optical laboratories, and ab-initio design tools. Our platforms include metamaterials and metasurfaces based on polymeric, ceramic, dielectric, and plasmonic materials, operating from the UV to the mm-wave region; silicon photonic devices such as integrated waveguides and photonic crystals; III-V semiconductor lasers and devices; hybrid systems incorporating transparent conductive oxides; and advanced microfluidic fabrication. The range of covered applications is equally wide and includes holography, augmented reality, optical neural networks, telecommunication, nonlinear optics, encryption, anticounterfeiting, optical trapping and manipulation, biosensing and imaging.