Optical

Optical communications remain the backbone of the global internet, providing the most efficient means of transferring vast amounts of data across great distances.

At Smart Internet Lab, we focus on advancing optical research to enhance data transmission, network performance, agility, and security. We develop intelligent and flexible multi-purpose optical infrastructures designed to support future AI-native, compute-centric global networks.

Specifically, we are currently working on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for dynamic optical networks, photonics for radio access networks for beyond-5G, enhanced network sensing and applications, ultra-wideband optical fibre communication systems, optical devices and sub-systems, and the impact and mitigation of device and fibre nonlinearities, and data centre networks.

Our impact on optical communications

Our researchers lead innovations such as spatial-division-multiplexed fibres that create multiple transmission paths within a single strand.

We design next-generation photonic and network technologies that deliver higher throughput, lower power, ultra-low latency and stronger security.

Our work underpins advances in high-speed, energy-efficient data transport for applications from 5G/6G radio access to AI-driven cloud computing.

These advances underpin high-speed connectivity for AI training clusters, edge-to-cloud computing and future 6G services.

We can go further together

We operate one of the UK's most advanced optical experimentation environments. Through the National Dark Fibre Facility and collaborations with leading universities and industry partners, our teams validate new concepts under real-world conditions. This national-scale infrastructure accelerates discovery and shortens the path from prototype to deployment.

We welcome industrial partners, research organisations and PhD candidates who want to shape the next generation of intelligent optical infrastructure.