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Vectorial Optics and Photonics Group
University of Oxford

Chao He

Vectorial optical engineering: providing new insights into biomedical research,
photonic integrated circuit, and beyond.

NEWS

2024

  • 23-07-2024    The first Oxford International Conference on Advanced Optics and Photonics (OIC) took place from 1–5 July 2024 at St John’s College. The conference was hosted by the Department's Vectorial Optics and Photonics (VOP) group (led by Dr Chao He).

    The OIC has been highlighted by
    1) UNESCO's International Day of Light
    2) Front page of Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
    3) Front page of St John’s College, University of Oxford
    4) China Optics Official WeChat Account
  • “ Optics and photonics research in Oxford has a long and successful history, and we are continuously looking into new directions.  The Vectorial Optics and Photonics Group, led by Dr Chao He, is therefore a significant development that will open up valuable new scientific research opportunities and advances in technology.  There will be a vital synergy with other optics and photonics research in the department and will play a fundamental role of great importance to collaborations across Oxford and elsewhere in the world. ”

    Prof Martin J Booth, Chair in Optical and Photonic Engineering, University of Oxford

  • “ The creation of the Vectorial Optics and Photonics Group, led by Dr Chao He, represents an important milestone in the expansion of the broad array of Photonics research in the Department of Engineering Science. I am looking forward to continuing to collaborate and support Dr He in the development of new technologies that harness the vectorial and polarisation properties of light as well as the development of new measurement techniques. ”

    Prof Stephen M Morris, Associate Head of Department, University of Oxford

  • “ Understanding, manipulating and exploiting the full vectorial properties of light-fields is key to the development of future generations of photonic technology, ranging from optical communications and robust optical information transport, through to biomedical applications and early-stage cancer detection. Dr Chao He’s work in his Vectorial Optics and Photonics Group is world-leading in these areas, with global impact in both fundamental and applied photonics research, and Dr He and his team add substantially to our photonics technology research portfolio at Oxford. ”

    Prof Steve J Elston, Professor of Engineering Science, University of Oxford

The logo embodies five meanings:
1) The letters VOP;
2) A stylized form of the Chinese character “何” which resonates with my surname;
3) An eye, symbolizing the field of optics we are engaged in;
4) The phrase "Ten years of drinking ice on the brow, the blood beneath the eyes remains fervent," expressing our perseverance and passion in research;
5) The color scheme of the eye is inspired by that of Sun Wukong's eyes* — wishing all VOPers to be as bold and fearless as Sun Wukong, braving the waves and standing tall against all odds.
*Sun Wukong: also known as the Monkey King, is a mythical figure from Chinese folklore and a main character in the classic novel "Journey to the West".
The homepage features a ship sailing in the ocean, symbolizing our VOP ship, with various elements of vectorial optics beneath the waves*. This image also signifies our team's ongoing climb to the peak of optics research, much like a ship navigating through the tumultuous sea.
*There is also a pun here: light is a type of wave, and both 'ocean waves' and 'waves' in physics are referred to as 'wave' in English.
Click here to meet our team

VOP Secretariat
Email: vop@eng.ox.ac.uk
Address: 45.09 Holder Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH
Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford

Chao He, DPhil
Email: chao.he@eng.ox.ac.uk
Lecturer in Engineering | Principal Investigator
Head of the Vectorial Optics and Photonics Group (VOP)