The Centre, based in Adelaide, will boost defence research into photonics technologies, which is the study and use of light, ranging from the visible to the mid infra-red spectrum.

"Photonics is fundamental to many modern defence capabilities including communications, radar signal processing, electronic warfare systems and sensing," Senator Macdonald said.

DSTO's Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Information), Mr Neil Bryans, said photonic technologies and their applications were of significant relevance to DSTO research programs and had potential for commercial applications.

"The new Centre of Expertise in Photonics is a strategic initiative to build capability in photonics in Australia's defence and commercial industry sectors," Mr Bryans said.

"It's also a mechanism to attract students to the study of photonics and thereby develop local expertise to supplement the work of DSTO scientists."

In the future, lasers will provide inter-satellite communications while ground-based networks will depend on specialist optical fibre to provide the high data rates required for military systems. Electro-optic sensing will also enhance remote detection of various targets including their speed and range while micro-structured optical fibre has potential in high sensitivity detection of biological agents.

DSTO funding for the Centre includes $400,000 for initial infrastructure and ongoing funding of $400,000 per year to support the University's Chair in Photonics, held by Professor Tanya Monro, and two post doctoral research fellows.

The Centre will be located in the Physics Building at the North Terrace campus of the University of Adelaide.

Related Links
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
University of Adelaide