The Laboratory of Optical Informatics - Faculty of Physics, WUT
The Laboratory of Optical Informatics for many years conducted research in the field of optics, diffraction, microoptics, holography and optical information processing. Efforts are aimed at practical applications. The current research is conducted in the following main fields:
- Synthetic Holography - numerical iterative methods for designing holograms allowing for controlled shaping of light fields in three dimensions, including the formation of color images for holographic projection. Synthetic Holograms are widely used for security purposes. Additionally, a research is carried out on a holographic HUD type display.
- Digital Holography - a new method of recording digital holograms - the simplification and reduction of the recording setup. Dynamic holography implemented in real-time will potentially find applications in both the medical and industrial diagnostics as well as methods of transmission of a three-dimensional image.
- Classical Holography - optimization of setups for recording surface and volume holograms. This is particularly important for demonstration applications (promotion of both the Faculty of Physics and the Warsaw University of Technology) and for security purposes.
- Flat and lightweight diffractive elements replacing the classic spherical and aspherical lenses, performing real-time imaging with an increased depth of field - applicable in medicine, microscopy, ophthalmology and optometry.
- Design and modeling of bulk optical components including refractive-diffractive ones, which can be used in imaging optical systems in the far infrared.
- Diffractive elements designed to shape the beam emitted by non-point sources of light such as LEDs, edge-emitting lasers.
- Study, characterization and optimization of Spatial Light Modulators. Application of these devices in various branches of optics, diffraction and dynamic holography.
At the same time teaching activities are carried out, having a good reputation among students. Participants take the following courses: Fundamentals of Optics (lecture), Fundamentals of Optics (laboratory), Optical Information Laboratory, Computer Methods of Optics (lecture and laboratory). Activities currently undertaken relate to the investigated problems of contemporary optics and provide the knowledge necessary to write a master’s thesis.
Many graduate students implement innovative ideas, many of which are published in international scientific journals. Due to the visual appeal of holography, the Laboratory has actively participated in actions promoting and popularizing the Faculty of Physics.
The work of both researchers and students are carried out in six rooms equipped with top-class software and a constantly modernized and upgraded optical equipment.
Additionally, so called Holographic Workshops are conducted in the Laboratory of Optical Informatics, aimed at high school students. The course is designed to promote physics and optics, and support the recruitment of technical studies.
