Ing. Alexandr Dejneka, Ph.D.
Mgr. Zdeněk Hubička, Ph.D.
Mgr. Nicola Poledňáková
The Division of Optics focuses on multidisciplinary research in the areas of optical technologies, the study of classical and quantum aspects of the propagation of light and bio-physical science. Interconnections between our theoretical, experimental and technological research allow for development and study of a wide range of advanced materials. Our activities are supported with excellent facilities and prove to be of interests for industrial partners that are focused on foundry industry, engineering, additive manufacturing, laser and plasma technologies, and life-science technologies.
Our research in classical optics is mainly focused on statistical properties of light beams, scatterometry, and the design of optical systems for specialized detection devices. In the area of quantum optics, various types of sources of quantum correlated photon pairs have been designed, and the field of quantum information is focused on the transmission and processing of information using quantum states of photons. Our division also studies the detection of weak and ultraweak radiation down to single photons, its characterization, quantum teleportation, and cloning.
The technological area of the Division of Optics is mainly focused on research and development of modern optical technologies based on pulsed laser deposition, barrier-torch plasma deposition, dual High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering System (HIPIMS), systems with linear hollow cathodes and low-microwave hybrid plasma. Considerable attention is devoted to the study of mechanical properties of surfaces and layers. New technologies are also applied for the fabrication of optical structures and optical components applicable for demanding experiments in the areas of particle physics and astrophysics as well as in industrial applications.
The next relatively young research direction of our division is biophysics. The research in this area is focused on the fundamental problems in biophysics: how different external physical, biophysical cues and stimulations affect cell functionality. The impact of this research direction lies in the development of innovative, more accurate, more reliable and cost-effective physical tools for in vitro/in vivo control of cell function. Our laboratory works with tumour cell lines, such as liver cancer and leukaemia, and with normal cells.
The Division of Optics includes four research departments: the Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, the Department of Low-Temperature Plasma, the Department of Analysis of Functional Materials and the Joint Laboratory of Optics (SLO) of Palacký University Olomouc and Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The Division has one technical department: Optical and Mechanical Workshops Na Slovance.