Université Laval
Faculty of Science
and Engineering

Optics, photonics, and lasers

Harnessing the tremendous potential of glass and light

SPIRou - un spectropolarimètre infra-rouge

The Optics Engineering Research Laboratory headed by Simon Thibault contributed to the optical design of SPIRou's spectrograph and scientific camera. He also worked on the optomechanical integration of the SPIRou camera which required that the lenses be centered with a micrometer precision.

Photo: Sébastien Chastanet – CNRS/UPS/OMP

Optics, photonics, and lasers

Harnessing the tremendous potential of glass and light

High-speed information transfer

The Faculty stands out as a major player in the fields of optics, photonics and lasers, with scientific advances that are redefining many industries. Ultra-short laser pulses are a perfect illustration of this excellence, propelling innovations that are revolutionizing medicine, telecommunications and agriculture. 

Thanks to its expertise in fiber optics, photonic materials and optical communications, the Faculty is paving the way for technological advances that are shaping the future. These discoveries have concrete applications, from precision medical interventions to the optimization of communication networks, as well as innovative solutions for agriculture.  

Research topics

Biophotonics is a growing field of study where the main research activities are related to medical imaging and diagnosis, the development of analytical tools, and intervention therapy.

Computers and increasingly fast communication networks have revolutionized everyday life, but the ever-growing amount of data transmitted could eventually saturate fibre optic communication networks. Some of our researchers are working to optimize these networks by using the multiple dimensions of light waves to transmit information.

Femtosecond and short-pulse lasers are compact, versatile, and reliable lasers whose intensity and diversity are constantly increasing. Used on tiny surfaces, they become ultra-powerful, high-performance tools for micromachining, drilling, and cutting, which is why they are used for surgery. Researchers are working to improve the stability and spectral coverage of these lasers.

Optical fibre has helped develop and speed up communication networks. To further increase network power and speed, researchers want to increase the spectral efficiency of high-speed transmissions using complex modulation formats, improve network flexibility using all-optical routing, optimize network energy efficiency using broadband access, and boost connectivity by broadcasting  signals over fibre.

This research area is the foundation for all optics, photonics, and laser technologies. Photonic materials researchers investigate the basic properties of materials, including transparency, birefringence and photosensitivity. They are seeking to invent optical materials with a wider transparency range in the infrared spectrum and to better understand the optical processes involved in these innovative materials.

The faces of optics, photonics, and laser research

Discover the passionate Faculty members who actively contribute to this area of excellence.

See Faculty members

Research Units

Canada Research Chairs

The graduate program in optics and photonics at Université Laval is probably one of the best in the country. The facilities and equipment at the Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL) provide a great working environment for students.

Simon Duval, PhD graduate in physics supervised by Professor Réal Vallée

Resources for researchers and student researchers

The Vice Dean of Research

The mission of the faculty’s Office of the Vice Dean of Research is to familiarize faculty members with research funding program requirements. Its research development advisors can assist researchers in preparing funding applications and drafting research contracts. They can also provide information and guidance on technology transfer opportunities.

Learn more about the Office of the Vice Dean of Research

Le Lab en ligne

The Faculty of Sciences and Engineering’s LAB en ligne is a virtual space that showcases and profiles the faculty’s research equipment and facilities. The service provides graduate students, faculty members, and industry professionals with access to state-of-the-art equipment at reasonable cost along with opportunities for collaboration.

Lab en ligne